Synthesis of an azulene-containing graphene nanoribbon.

The solution-phase synthesis of a non-benzenoid nanoribbon from an azulene-containing polymer via alkyne benzannulation is reported. The nanoribbon is soluble in common organic solvents and exhibits conductivity values up to 1.5 × 10 -3 S cm -1 once doped by protonation in the thin film state.