Bridged Tolanes: Makeover of a Chromophore

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Uwe F. H. Bunz; Professor Dr. Andreas Dreuw
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 256288978

In a cooperative approach, Bunz (synthesis, OCI, U of Heidelberg), Dreuw (quantum chemical calculations, IWR, U of Heidelberg) and Beeby (external cooperation partner, Durham U, UK), investigate the impact of twisting upon the electronic and optical properties of substituted and bridged diphenylacetylenes (tolanes). Preliminary results strongly suggest that these targets show highly unusual yet attractive, twist-dependent optical and electronic properties. Some of the twisted tolanes show efficient phosphorescence with very long (2 s) lifetimes. In our project we will - in a concerted effort between synthetic chemistry, quantum chemical calculations and time resolved low temperature spectroscopy - evaluate and expand the potential of the bridged and twisted tolanes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants