right|thumb|150px|Hexahelicene

[[File:Helicenegeneral.svg|right|thumb|150px|General structure formula of [n]helicene]]

In organic chemistry, helicenes are ortho-condensed polycyclic aromatic compounds in which benzene rings or other aromatics are angularly annulated to give helically-shaped chiral molecules. The chemistry of helicenes has attracted continuing attention because of their unique structural, spectral, and optical features.

Synthesis

The first helicene structure was reported by Jakob Meisenheimer in 1903 as the reduction product of 2-nitronaphthalene.

In one study,

See also

  • Other configurations of consecutively-fused benzene rings:
  • Acenes, linear
  • Circulenes, closed ring
  • Phenacenes, zig-zag

References

; General references