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Synthesis of Ligands for Potential Application in Selective Heteroleptic Cage Assembly Projects

Boada Figueras, Guillem LU (2025) KEMP30 20242
Department of Chemistry
Abstract
Recent research in organo-metallic cages composites (MOCs); discrete, self-assembled coordination compounds; has highlighted their significant potential in host-guest chemistry and catalysis. New studies focus on synthesizing multifunctional MOCs by combining more than one ligand. However, due to the unpredictable nature of coordination-driven self-assembly, intricate strategies were imperative to obtain a single cage rather than statistical mixtures of homoleptic and heteroleptic MOCs. These well-designed strategies demand the expertise from multiple scientific areas, making them unfeasible for small research groups. The objective of this work was to synthesize and fully characterize ligands with potential to be used in an organic... (More)
Recent research in organo-metallic cages composites (MOCs); discrete, self-assembled coordination compounds; has highlighted their significant potential in host-guest chemistry and catalysis. New studies focus on synthesizing multifunctional MOCs by combining more than one ligand. However, due to the unpredictable nature of coordination-driven self-assembly, intricate strategies were imperative to obtain a single cage rather than statistical mixtures of homoleptic and heteroleptic MOCs. These well-designed strategies demand the expertise from multiple scientific areas, making them unfeasible for small research groups. The objective of this work was to synthesize and fully characterize ligands with potential to be used in an organic chemistry inspired protecting group approach to construct an heteroleptic MOC by employing blocker ligands. A library of four bidentate, linear and nitrogen donor ligands (G1, G2, G3 and G4) was developed for that purpose. All the intermediates and G2 were successfully synthesized and identified via NMR spectroscopy; nevertheless, HRMS, HPLC, EA and IR spectra remains to be recorded on those compounds. On the other hand, G2 and G4 were not attempted due to time restrictions, and G3 could not be isolated from the crude while performing the quenching procedure. The low yields obtained in those synthetical procedures pointed out the necessity of further optimization, particularly in reaction conditions, purification techniques and quenching procedures. (Less)
Popular Abstract
One of the major advances in organometallic chemistry is the construction of cages made of metal nucleus linked to each other throughout organic molecules. These structures receive the name of metal-organic cages, or MOCs, and show promising applications in fields like drug delivery, chemical catalysis and gas storage. Nowadays, researchers are trying to create cages with more than one type of organic molecules to increase the number of functionalities that one MOC can do at the same time. These are called heteroleptic MOCs, and they are not as easy to prepare as combining metals and organic molecules, doing so would result in unpredictable mixtures of different components and shapes. Instead, an incredible amount of work and scientists... (More)
One of the major advances in organometallic chemistry is the construction of cages made of metal nucleus linked to each other throughout organic molecules. These structures receive the name of metal-organic cages, or MOCs, and show promising applications in fields like drug delivery, chemical catalysis and gas storage. Nowadays, researchers are trying to create cages with more than one type of organic molecules to increase the number of functionalities that one MOC can do at the same time. These are called heteroleptic MOCs, and they are not as easy to prepare as combining metals and organic molecules, doing so would result in unpredictable mixtures of different components and shapes. Instead, an incredible amount of work and scientists are required to strategize the synthesis of a single heteroleptic MOC. This work aims to prepare a set of four organic molecules, meanwhile registering their unique structural features, that could be used in a more simple and convenient way to build an heteroleptic MOC. Unfortunately, just one of these was successfully prepared due to matters of time and failed experimental attempts. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Boada Figueras, Guillem LU
supervisor
organization
course
KEMP30 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
MOF, MOC, Heteroleptic MOC, ligand synthesis, organometallic chemistry
language
English
id
9184818
date added to LUP
2025-06-05 13:29:53
date last changed
2025-06-05 13:29:53
@misc{9184818,
  abstract     = {{Recent research in organo-metallic cages composites (MOCs); discrete, self-assembled coordination compounds; has highlighted their significant potential in host-guest chemistry and catalysis. New studies focus on synthesizing multifunctional MOCs by combining more than one ligand. However, due to the unpredictable nature of coordination-driven self-assembly, intricate strategies were imperative to obtain a single cage rather than statistical mixtures of homoleptic and heteroleptic MOCs. These well-designed strategies demand the expertise from multiple scientific areas, making them unfeasible for small research groups. The objective of this work was to synthesize and fully characterize ligands with potential to be used in an organic chemistry inspired protecting group approach to construct an heteroleptic MOC by employing blocker ligands. A library of four bidentate, linear and nitrogen donor ligands (G1, G2, G3 and G4) was developed for that purpose. All the intermediates and G2 were successfully synthesized and identified via NMR spectroscopy; nevertheless, HRMS, HPLC, EA and IR spectra remains to be recorded on those compounds. On the other hand, G2 and G4 were not attempted due to time restrictions, and G3 could not be isolated from the crude while performing the quenching procedure. The low yields obtained in those synthetical procedures pointed out the necessity of further optimization, particularly in reaction conditions, purification techniques and quenching procedures.}},
  author       = {{Boada Figueras, Guillem}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Synthesis of Ligands for Potential Application in Selective Heteroleptic Cage Assembly Projects}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}