BOROMAT · Boronic acids as building blocks for construction of molecular nanostructures and polymeric materials
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2011-02-01 → 2013-01-31
- EU contribution
- €181,971
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-IEF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Boronic acids as building blocks for construction of molecular nanostructures and polymeric materials
In our project, we have investigated the self-assembly of boronic acids with other molecular building blocks. We could show that it is possible to synthesise new classes of boron-based compounds using multicomponent condensation reactions. We successfully synthesised new borasiloxanes rings and we used them as building blocks in the construction of more complex structures. This has involved the introduction of different functionalities on the borasiloxane ring. We have shown that large organic macrocycles with borasiloxane and imine linkages are easily accessible in simple polycondensation reactions. We have also demonstrated that the macrocycles are best made by mechanochemical syntheses in a ball mill. Our work showed the utility of mechanochemistry in structural supramolecular chemistry. We have demonstrated that mechanochemical syntheses of borasiloxane macrocycles can be achieved with high yields, outperforming more classical solution-based methods. We have continued our studies with the development of borylated clathrochelates as building blocks in supramolecular chemistry. Borylated clathrochelates complexes are very versatile building blocks with extremely high thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of the encapsulated metal ion, making them a suitable building block for construction of different large supramolecular structures and different Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We have successfully synthesised new clathrochelates units based on pyridine boronic acid. The dipyridyl clathrochelates ligands were further used for the construction of different supramolecular motifs by self-assembly with another metal ion. The unique feature of those new clathrochelates is the anionic charge of the ligand (to the best of our knowledge the first one reported to date). New polymeric networks have been synthesised and their porosity was determined by nitrogen adsorption measurements. The implications of this work are wider. We predict that clathrochelate-based building blocks will play an important role in future molecular nanoscience.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This project describes the design and syntheses of new classes of boron-based compounds such as macrocycles, cages, and polymers, made by multicomponent self-assembly through simultaneous condensation of boronic acids with other molecular building blocks. The central goal is the formation of new materials with high porosity and low crystal density. Molecularly defined compounds such as macrocycles and cages can form porous solid state structures upon removal of encapsulated guest molecules (e.g. residual solvent molecules). Similarly, 2- and 3-dimensional polymeric networks may form porous structures if the geometry and the rigidity of the molecular building blocks are correctly chosen. Compared to classical approaches, which involve transition metals, our materials will display rather low densities because we will exclusively use molecules composed of light elements such as B, C, N, and H. This should result in intrinsic advantages for potential applications (e.g. gas storage).
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE · LausanneCoordinatorSwitzerland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union