Luminescent coordination-driven supramolecular assemblies based on pre-organized Cu(I) precursors stabilized by main-group element ligands

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Manfred Scheer
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 446028511

Given the deficit of inexpensive and luminescent materials from compounds containing abundant elements as for instance copper, this ANR-DFG SUPRALUM project targets the preparation and the study of the multifunctional luminescence properties of a large series of new discrete and polymeric polymetallic Cu(I) based supramolecular assemblies. These new inexpensive and stable derivatives will present unprecedented architectures that include enhanced solid-state luminescence properties, which will establish them as a very appealing source of new multifunctional molecular materials incorporating both lighting and sensor applications. A combined experimental and computational approach will be performed that will unify the fundamental understanding and application of coordination and supramolecular chemistry, main-group elements chemistry, photophysics and material sciences. Innovative coordination-driven supramolecular synthetic routes already mastered by the consortium members will be adapted to new straightforward high-yield syntheses of polymetallic Cu(I) derivatives. For the first time, the specific and complementary synthetic tools and characterisation skills available in both the German and the French group (such as the coordination-driven supramolecular chemistry adapted to flexible Cu(I) pre-assembled precursors as well as the innovative use of polytopic assembling main group (P, As, Sb, Bi) ligand complexes and of fully aliphatic and flexible polytopic linkers) will be combined in order to specifically introduce luminescence properties within the targeted polymetallic supramolecular scaffolds, conferring a significant level of novelties to this project. State-of-the-art photophysical investigations and calculations will be executed to highlight luminescence properties and rationalise electronic processes that are inherent in the synthesised new materials. It will thus be possible to execute an unprecedentedly thorough study of the structure-property relationships of such luminescent supramolecular compounds, inducing a significant growth of the family of luminescent Cu(I) derivatives to establish an emerging and promising class of emissive molecular materials. Very encouraging first results have been obtained by both the German and French groups that are the basis of their cooperation, providing substantial guarantees that this project will generate new scientific knowledge and innovative classes of environmentally friendly, multifunctional luminescent materials that are highly relevant in the line of sustainable development. .

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Partner Organisation: Agence Nationale de la Recherche / The French National Research Agency
• Cooperation Partner: Privatdozent Dr. Christophe Lescop