Topological band theory predicts that a topological electronic phase transition between two insulators must proceed via closure of the electronic gap. Here, we use this transition to circumvent the instability of metallic phases in π-conjugated one-dimensional (1D) polymers. By means of density functional theory, tight-binding and GW calculations, we predict polymers near the topological transition from a trivial to a non-trivial quantum phase. We then use on-surface synthesis with custom-designed precursors to make polymers consisting of 1D linearly bridged acene moieties, which feature narrow bandgaps and in-gap zero-energy edge states when in the topologically non-trivial phase close to the topological transition point. We also reveal the fundamental connection between topological classes and resonant forms of 1D π-conjugated polymers.

Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain

Departamento de Química Orgánica Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Spain

EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland

IMDEA Nanociencia Madrid Spain

Institute of Physics The Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Palacký University Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

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