Phenyl Substituted Cyclo(meta)polyphenylenes: One More Step Towards the Total Synthesis of Diameter‐Controlled Zig‐Zag Carbon Nanotubes

The calixarene‐templated synthesis of new cyclo(meta‐ polyphenylenes (CMPs) is described. These compounds are functionalized with added aromatic units, that are suitably oriented for oxidative aromatization to be envisioned. This could pave the way towards the synthesis of elongated segments of zigzag‐type single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Two new zigzag‐type single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) short segments were synthesized. The synthesis relies on the use of calixarenes as templates to pre‐organize the reactive groups. The organization/orientation of the aromatic units is designed to enable intramolecular photocyclizations, a first step towards the total synthesis of SWCNTs.