Aromatic belts, ultrashort carbon nanotubes, and related structures, are emerging molecular entities in the fields of organic electronics and supramolecular chemistry owing to their structural rigidity, fully fused π-conjugation, and well-defined cavity. Synthesis of aromatic belts with embedded thiophene structures, which manifest significant optoelectronic and conductive properties, has not yet been achieved. Herein, we report the synthesis of thiophene-fused aromatic belts (thiophene belts) via one-step sulfur cross-linking reaction of partially fluorinated cycloparaphenylenes. Their structural features, including unidirectional columnar stacking with high dipole moment in crystals, two-dimensional layer assembly on metal surfaces, and photophysical properties, such as long-lifetime phosphorescence, are uncovered. These distinctive features of the thiophene belts should inspire a range of applications such as optoelectronic devices and polar materials.
© 2025. The Author(s).