Coronene
Coronene, also known as hexabenzocoronene, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) comprising six benzene rings fused to a central benzene ring. Its chemical formula is C24H12. It is a yellow solid that dissolves in aromatic solvents. Coronene is a circulene, and is the smallest such molecule.
Coronene is a naturally occurring component of crude oil and is formed during the incomplete combustion of organic matter. It is also found in interstellar space.
Coronene has been investigated for its electronic and optical properties. Its planar structure and extensive pi-system make it a promising candidate for use in organic electronics, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). It can also act as a building block for larger graphene-like structures.
Derivatives of coronene, where hydrogen atoms are substituted with other functional groups, are also of significant interest in materials science. These substitutions can alter the electronic, optical, and self-assembling properties of the molecule.
Coronene has been detected in meteorites, suggesting its possible role in prebiotic chemistry.