6helicene

6helicene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of six fused benzene rings arranged in a helical structure. Its molecular formula is C26H14. The molecule exhibits chirality due to its twisted, propeller-like shape, meaning it exists as a pair of non-superimposable mirror images, known as enantiomers. These enantiomers are often referred to as (6)-helicene and its mirror image.

The synthesis of 6helicene and other helicenes is typically achieved through various cyclization reactions, often involving the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds under specific chemical conditions. Due to its unique helical structure and inherent chirality, 6helicene has attracted interest in fields such as organic electronics, chiral recognition, and asymmetric catalysis. Its potential applications stem from its ability to interact selectively with other chiral molecules and its electronic properties arising from the extended pi-electron system. Research continues to explore efficient synthetic routes and novel applications for this intriguing molecular architecture.