Invited Paper NS+EN+MG+SS+TF-WeA7
Pyridine Coordination Chemistry for Molecular Assemblies

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 4:20 pm, Room 212B

Many types of metal-ligand interactions have creatively been used in the chemical sciences since the description of coordination complexes. The rich coordination chemistry of pyridine-type ligands has contributed significantly to the incorporation of metal ions into functional materials on surfaces. We will discuss molecular assemblies formed with a variety of pyridine-based compounds. These assemblies are formed by layer-by-layer deposition from solution that allows for precise fitting of the assembly properties. The degree of intermolecular interactions can be controlled by varying the degree of π-conjugation and the availability of coordination sites. Unlike molecular assemblies that are constructed with organic ligands, assemblies with polypyridyl complexes are active participants in their own formation and amplify the growth of the incoming molecular layers. Such a self-propagating behavior for molecular systems is rare and the mechanism of their formation will be presented. Incorporating multiple metal complexes into a single assembly give rise to composite materials that exhibit unique electrochemical and electrochromic properties that are dependent on the arrangement of these metal complexes. We will also discuss the coordination chemistry of pyridine-based compounds with nanoparticles, the formation of metal-organic frameworks and their practical applications.