ABSTRACT
In 1966, when a successful synthesis of corannulene, the first member of the geodesic arenes class of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was performed, its authors immediately noticed that the intrinsic strain of the molecule may result in unusual physical and chemical properties of this system. Today, geodesic arenes are a rapidly growing family of chemical compounds because they offer numerous potential applications, including their use as new electronic and optical organic materials, as components in the synthesis of fullerene isomers, isomerically pure SWCNHs, and many others. Interestingly, the questions concerning their structural strain and aromaticity asked over 50 years ago are still relevant today within the context of the basic understanding of the structure–property relationship. This chapter is intended as a comprehensive guide to geodesic arenes by describing their fundamental properties, synthesis, and potential applications across many scientific disciplines.
