Research Projects

This project aims to create unprecedented supramolecular (co)polymeric systems by sequentially introducing chalcogen (ChB) and hydrogen bonding (HB) motifs. The project will use one model -benzene-, one donor -pyrene-, and two different acceptors -NDI- and -Bodipy- as building blocks. The proposed pi-conjugated systems will be equipped with either ChB or HB units to fabricate programmable supramolecular copolymers. The project has three main objectives: 1) syntheses and self-assembly studies of novel unsymmetrically functionalized chalcogen and hydrogen bonded pi-systems; 2) co-assembly studies of geometrically like or dissimilar pi-systems by introducing alternate ChB and HB in solution; and 3) qualitative and quantitative investigation of the kinetic/thermodynamic pathways involved in the self-assembly and co-assembly of these pi-systems. The project aims to control two extreme cases of supramolecular co-polymers, social and narcissistic self-sorting in solution. A series of molecular systems will be appended with ChB and HB units through multi-step organic synthesis. Spectroscopy and microscopic studies will be conducted to gain mechanistic insights on two-component self-assembly in solution. A universal strategy for controlling two-component self-assembly in solution will be developed based on this evaluation. Advanced photophysical studies will be performed to examine the optical properties of these copolymers in solution and solid state. Successful completion of this research project will significantly increase mechanistic insights, allowing us to unravel the pathway complexity and energy landscape of supramolecular co-polymerisation of two-component systems in solution.