Search

2D supramolecular self-assembly has emerged as a powerful tool in nanoscience for bottom-up fabrication of well-defined and long-range ordered two-dimensional (2D) molecular nanostructures at surfaces. Following an overview of the principles of this distinctive self-assembly process, this review focuses on recent strategies developed to go beyond surface nanopatterning and to provide functional surfaces. With an emphasis on the chemical engineering of the molecular building blocks constituting the adlayer, we show that besides supported nanoporous networks, a more promising approach lies in the upstanding 3D functional building blocks mounted on the substrate. We highlight the opportunities offered by graphene, a substrate for which non-covalent functionalization by supramolecular self-assembly represents a way to either control its electronic properties or provide a new functionality. Finally, future perspectives are addressed.

Controlled syntheses of phthalocyanine/benzoporphyrin hybrid structures have been achieved. We report a simple means for obtaining non‐peripherally octaalkyl‐substituted derivatives of tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (TBTAP), tetrabenzodiazaporphyrin (TBDAP), tetrabenzomonoazaporphyrin (TBMAP) and tetrabenzoporphyrin (TBP) macrocycles by treating 3,6‐dialkyl phthalonitriles with differing amounts of the Grignard reagent MeMgBr. This range of macrocyclic products is not obtained from corresponding reactions of a Grignard reagent with 4‐substituted phthalonitriles, reported previously, or reaction of MeMgBr with a 4,5‐dialkyl phthalonitrile. Attempts to form a meso‐substituted TBTAP from 3,6‐dialkyl phthalonitriles by reaction with benzyl and long‐chain alkyl Grignard reagents unexpectedly gave only the parent macrocycle unsubstituted at the mesoposition. The synthetic protocols are by far the most straightforward and convenient means to access these interesting, but scarcely studied, classes of material. The new series of substituted macrocyclic compounds, obtained as the metal‐free and magnesium‐ and copper(II)‐metallated derivatives, show trends in the UV/Vis spectra consistent with those predicted elsewhere by Kobayashi. Characterisation of the new families allows further trends to be identified as meso‐nitrogen atoms are sequentially replaced by methine bridges, for example, the compounds provide novel examples of macrocyclic structures that show columnar mesophase behaviour. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determinations have been obtained for three magnesium‐metallated derivatives bearing eight hexyl substituents and constitute the first set of structural data obtained for such a series.

Phase-transition, optical, and photoconductive properties of a discotic liquid crystalline donor, nonperipherally substituted octahexyltetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (C6TBTAPH2), was characterized for high-performance solution-processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs). C6TBTAPH2exhibited high hole and electron mobilities at room temperature, exceeding 0.18 cm2V−1s−1, and strong absorption at both B-band and Q-band. A high power conversion efficiency of 4.9% under AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW cm−2) was achieved for BHJ OSCs utilizing phase-separated nanomaterials comprising C6TBTAPH2and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl-(6,6)C71.

For 100 years, IUPAC has supported chemists worldwide in all facets of their craft: industrial development, academic research, teaching, and many more. Mindful of nurturing its future leaders, since 2020 the Union ensured the attendance of the younger generation of chemists at the General Assembly and Congress in part through their "Young Observers" program [1]. It provides an opportunity for scientists below 40 to acquaint themselves with the work of the Divisions and Committees. The IUPAC Congress, which attracts several thousand attendees every two years, was not finely tuned to the expectations and contributions of the rising generation of chemists. However, the paradigm has begun to change. For the 47th Congress organized in Paris, France, 5-12 July 2019, the scientific executive committee, chaired by Clément Sanchez, enthusiastically received the proposal from a team of young chemists to build a "Young Chemists Symposium", organized by younger chemists for the benefit of all the attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Beyond “decorative” 2D supramolecular self-assembly: strategies towards functional surfaces for nanotechnology’ by Lydia Sosa-Vargas et al., Mater. Horiz., 2017, 4, 570–583, DOI: 10.1039/C7MH00127D.