Research Interests

My research interests are mainly synthesis oriented. By making use of palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions, I am developing a series of macrocyclic propeller-shaped monomers with anthracene-based photoreactive units for the synthesis of two-dimensional polymers (Fig. 1).

Due to the high symmetry, rigidity and lack of amphiphilicity, these monomers are best suited for the topochemical synthesis of 2D-polymers (single crystal approach). This already-established method in our group, involves the crystallization of the monomers into lamellar single crystals; In each layer the photoreactive anthracene units stack face-to-face and can react with each other topochemically upon photoirradiation (the connection chemistry is the well-known anthracene dimerisation via [4+4]-cycloaddition), converting the layers into the corresponding 2D-polymers. Subsequent exfoliation of the obtained 2D-crystal allows the isolation of single molecular sheets (Fig. 2).

Monomers 1 and 2 are particularly interesting because they carry functional groups, providing the chance of synthesising a new class of functionalisable 2D-polymers (Fig. 4)

Apart from the topochemical approach, we are also exploring in collaboration with PD Dr. Markus Lackinger (TU München), a way of synthesising 2D-polymers by self-assembly of the monomers on surfaces. Ideally the monomer would self-assemble on a surface upon sublimation into the desired honeycomb structure (much like in the crystal approach); photoirradiation and subsequent etching of the surface would result into the isolation of the 2D-polymer (Fig. 5).

Publications