Research Overview

Organic synthesis enables the precise generation of functional molecular building blocks and constitutes the basis of chemical approaches that our group is developing to address various aspects of materials science. We are convinced that the design of custom-tailored molecular nano-objects and their integration into functional nanosized structures will be key to the future bottom-up fabrication of miniaturized devices and the creation of new responsive “smart” materials. Our work is primarily focused on the synthesis of (macro)molecules with defined shape and function. Complementing our synthetic efforts, we investigate structure-property relationships of the resulting materials on both the single molecule and the ensemble levels in solution and in the bulk as well as at interfaces.

Currently our main efforts are directed towards:

• Designing functional foldamers, in particular hollow as well as responsive helically folding oligomers and polymers for the design of organic nanotubes and sensing applications.
• Developing photoresponsive (switchable and triggerable) catalyst and transport systems for signal amplification, controlled release, and smart materials.
• Controlling conformation, self-assembly, and chemical reactivity (switching and covalent bond formation) of individual molecules on solid substrates for nanoconstruction and molecular-scale electronics and sensing.
• Constructing macromolecular and supramolecular architectures with precise arrangement of multiple chromophores for advanced optoelectronic devices.

Keywords

• organic synthesis
• macromolecular and supramolecular chemistry
• single molecule reactivity
• materials science, nanotechnology, and molecular devices