@article{NollWuerthner2024,
  author    = {Noll, Niklas and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Bioinspired water preorganization in confined space for efficient water oxidation catalysis in metallosupramolecular ruthenium architectures},
  series = {Accounts of Chemical Research},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {Accounts of Chemical Research},
  number    = {10},
  issn      = {0001-4842},
  doi       = {10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00148},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-361232},
  pages     = {1538-1549},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Conspectus Nature has established a sustainable way to maintain aerobic life on earth by inventing one of the most sophisticated biological processes, namely, natural photosynthesis, which delivers us with organic matter and molecular oxygen derived from the two abundant resources sunlight and water. The thermodynamically demanding photosynthetic water splitting is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II (OEC-PSII), which comprises a distorted tetramanganese-calcium cluster (CaMn\(_4\)O\(_5\)) as catalytic core. As an ubiquitous concept for fine-tuning and regulating the reactivity of the active site of metalloenzymes, the surrounding protein domain creates a sophisticated environment that promotes substrate preorganization through secondary, noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions. Based on the high-resolution X-ray structure of PSII, several water channels were identified near the active site, which are filled with extensive hydrogen-bonding networks of preorganized water molecules, connecting the OEC with the protein surface. As an integral part of the outer coordination sphere of natural metalloenzymes, these channels control the substrate and product delivery, carefully regulate the proton flow by promoting pivotal proton-coupled electron transfer processes, and simultaneously stabilize short-lived oxidized intermediates, thus highlighting the importance of an ordered water network for the remarkable efficiency of the natural OEC. Transferring this concept from nature to the engineering of artificial metal catalysts for fuel production has fostered the fascinating field of metallosupramolecular chemistry by generating defined cavities that conceptually mimic enzymatic pockets. However, the application of supramolecular approaches to generate artificial water oxidation catalysts remained scarce prior to our initial reports, since such molecular design strategies for efficient activation of substrate water molecules in confined nanoenvironments were lacking. In this Account, we describe our research efforts on combining the state-of-the art Ru(bda) catalytic framework with structurally programmed ditopic ligands to guide the water oxidation process in defined metallosupramolecular assemblies in spatial proximity. We will elucidate the governing factors that control the quality of hydrogen-bonding water networks in multinuclear cavities of varying sizes and geometries to obtain high-performance, state-of-the-art water oxidation catalysts. Pushing the boundaries of artificial catalyst design, embedding a single catalytic Ru center into a well-defined molecular pocket enabled sophisticated water preorganization in front of the active site through an encoded basic recognition site, resulting in high catalytic rates comparable to those of the natural counterpart OEC-PSII. To fully explore their potential for solar fuel devices, the suitability of our metallosupramolecular assemblies was demonstrated under (electro)chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation conditions. In addition, testing the limits of structural diversity allowed the fabrication of self-assembled linear coordination oligomers as novel photocatalytic materials and long-range ordered covalent organic framework (COF) materials as recyclable and long-term stable solid-state materials for future applications.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KirchnerSchrammIvanovaetal.2024,
  author    = {Kirchner, Philipp H. and Schramm, Louis and Ivanova, Svetlana and Shoyama, Kazutaka and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Beuerle, Florian},
  title     = {A water-stable boronate ester cage},
  series = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
  volume    = {146},
  journal   = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
  number    = {8},
  issn      = {0002-7863},
  doi       = {10.1021/jacs.3c12002},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-361245},
  pages     = {5305-5315},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {The reversible condensation of catechols and boronic acids to boronate esters is a paradigm reaction in dynamic covalent chemistry. However, facile backward hydrolysis is detrimental for stability and has so far prevented applications for boronate-based materials. Here, we introduce cubic boronate ester cages 6 derived from hexahydroxy tribenzotriquinacenes and phenylene diboronic acids with ortho-t-butyl substituents. Due to steric shielding, dynamic exchange at the Lewis acidic boron sites is feasible only under acid or base catalysis but fully prevented at neutral conditions. For the first time, boronate ester cages 6 tolerate substantial amounts of water or alcohols both in solution and solid state. The unprecedented applicability of these materials under ambient and aqueous conditions is showcased by efficient encapsulation and on-demand release of β-carotene dyes and heterogeneous water oxidation catalysis after the encapsulation of ruthenium catalysts.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchneiderSeebauerBeuerleetal.2024,
  author    = {Schneider, Tilman and Seebauer, Florian and Beuerle, Florian and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {A monodisperse, end-capped Ru(bda) oligomer with outstanding performance in heterogeneous electrochemical water oxidation},
  series = {Advanced Materials Technologies},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Advanced Materials Technologies},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {2365-709X},
  doi       = {10.1002/admt.202301721},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-363133},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {AbstractWater oxidation catalysis is a key step for sustainable fuel production by water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen. The synthesis of a novel coordination oligomer based on four Ru(bda) (bda = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) centers, three 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) linkers, and two 4-picoline (4-pic) end caps is reported. The monodispersity of this tetranuclear compound is characterized by NMR techniques. Heterogeneous electrochemical water oxidation after immobilization on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) shows catalytic performance unprecedented for this compound class, with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 133 s\(^{-1}\) and a turnover number (TON) of 4.89 × 10\(^6\), at a current density of 43.8 mA cm\(^{-2}\) and a potential of 1.45 V versus normal hydrogen electrode (NHE).},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NollGrossShoyamaetal.2023,
  author    = {Noll, Niklas and Groß, Tobias and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Beuerle, Florian and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Folding-Induced Promotion of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfers via Proximal Base for Light-Driven Water Oxidation},
  series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  volume    = {62},
  journal   = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1002/anie.202217745},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312020},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) processes play a key role in biocatalytic energy conversion and storage, for example, photosynthesis or nitrogen fixation. Here, we report a series of bipyridine-containing di- to tetranuclear Ru(bda) macrocycles 2 C-4 C (bda: 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) to promote O-O bond formation. In photocatalytic water oxidation under neutral conditions, all complexes 2 C-4 C prevail in a folded conformation that support the water nucleophilic attack (WNA) pathway with remarkable turnover frequencies of up to 15.5 s\(^{-1}\) per Ru unit respectively. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed an increased tendency for intramolecular π-π stacking and preorganization of the proximal bases close to the active centers for the larger macrocycles. H/D kinetic isotope effect studies and electrochemical data demonstrate the key role of the proximal bipyridines as proton acceptors in lowering the activation barrier for the crucial nucleophilic attack of H\(_{2}\)O in the WNA mechanism.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BrustNaglerShoyamaetal.2023,
  author    = {Brust, Felix and Nagler, Oliver and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Silandiol-Bay-Bridged Perylene Bisimides},
  series = {Advanced Optical Materials},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Advanced Optical Materials},
  number    = {5},
  doi       = {10.1002/adom.202202676},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312599},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Perylene bisimides (PBIs) are among the best fluorophores but have to be enwrapped for optoelectronic applications by large and heavy substituents to prevent their ππ-stacking, which is known to accelerate non-radiative decay processes in the solid state. Here, light-weight di-tert-butylsilyl groups are introduced to bridge 1,12-dihydroxy and 1,6,7,12-tetrahydroxy PBIs to afford sublimable dyes for vacuum-processed optoelectronic devices. For both new compounds, this substitution provides a twisted and shielded perylene π-core whose, via OSiObridges, rigid structure affords well-resolved absorption and emission spectra with strong fluorescence in solution, as well as in the solid state. The usefulness of these dyes for vacuum-processed optoelectronic devices is demonstrated in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that show monomer-like emission spectra and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) values of up to 3.1\% for the doubly silicon-bridged PBI.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MenekseMahlAlbertetal.2023,
  author    = {Menekse, Kaan and Mahl, Magnus and Albert, Julius and Niyas, M. A. and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Supramolecularly Engineered Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cells with Self-Assembled Non-Fullerene Nanographene Tetraimide Acceptors},
  series = {Solar RRL},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Solar RRL},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1002/solr.202200895},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312099},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {A series of novel imide-functionalized C\(_{64}\) nanographenes is investigated as acceptor components in organic solar cells (OSCs) in combination with donor polymer PM6. These electron-poor molecules either prevail as a monomer or self-assemble into dimers in the OSC active layer depending on the chosen imide substituents. This allows for the controlled stacking of electron-poor and electron-rich π-scaffolds to establish a novel class of non-fullerene acceptor materials to tailor the bulk-heterojunction morphology of the OSCs. The best performance is observed for derivatives that are able to self-assemble into dimers, reaching power conversion efficiencies of up to 7.1\%.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WehShoyamaWuerthner2023,
  author    = {Weh, Manuel and Shoyama, Kazutaka and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Preferential molecular recognition of heterochiral guests within a cyclophane receptor},
  series = {Nature Communications},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Nature Communications},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41467-023-35851-3},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357750},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The discrimination of enantiomers by natural receptors is a well-established phenomenon. In contrast the number of synthetic receptors with the capability for enantioselective molecular recognition of chiral substrates is scarce and for chiral cyclophanes indicative for a preferential binding of homochiral guests. Here we introduce a cyclophane composed of two homochiral core-twisted perylene bisimide (PBI) units connected by p-xylylene spacers and demonstrate its preference for the complexation of [5]helicene of opposite helicity compared to the PBI units of the host. The pronounced enantio-differentiation of this molecular receptor for heterochiral guests can be utilized for the enrichment of the P-PBI-M-helicene-P-PBI epimeric bimolecular complex. Our experimental results are supported by DFT calculations, which reveal that the sterically demanding bay substituents attached to the PBI chromophores disturb the helical shape match of the perylene core and homochiral substrates and thereby enforce the formation of syndiotactic host-guest complex structures. Hence, the most efficient substrate binding is observed for those aromatic guests, e. g. perylene, [4]helicene, phenanthrene and biphenyl, that can easily adapt in non-planar axially chiral conformations due to their inherent conformational flexibility. In all cases the induced chirality for the guest is opposed to those of the embedding PBI units, leading to heterochiral host-guest structures.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NollKrauseBeuerleetal.2022,
  author    = {Noll, Niklas and Krause, Ana-Maria and Beuerle, Florian and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Enzyme-like water preorganization in a synthetic molecular cleft for homogeneous water oxidation catalysis},
  series = {Nature Catalysis},
  journal   = {Nature Catalysis},
  edition   = {accepted version},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41929-022-00843-x},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302897},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Inspired by the proficiency of natural enzymes, mimicking of nanoenvironments for precise substrate preorganisation is a promising strategy in catalyst design. However, artificial examples of enzyme-like activation of H\(_2\)O molecules for the challenging oxidative water splitting reaction are hardly explored. Here, we introduce a mononuclear Ru(bda) complex (M1, bda: 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate) equipped with a bipyridine-functionalized ligand to preorganize H\(_2\)O molecules in front of the metal center as in enzymatic clefts. The confined pocket of M1 accelerates chemically driven water oxidation at pH 1 by facilitating a water nucleophilic attack pathway with a remarkable turnover frequency of 140 s\(^{-1}\) that is comparable to the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. Single crystal X-ray analysis of M1 under catalytic conditions allowed the observation of a 7th H\(_2\)O ligand directly coordinated to a RuIII center. Via a well-defined hydrogen-bonding network, another H\(_2\)O substrate is preorganized for the crucial O-O bond formation via nucleophilic attack.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HongKimKimetal.2022,
  author    = {Hong, Yongseok and Kim, Woojae and Kim, Taeyeon and Kaufmann, Christina and Kim, Hyungjun and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Kim, Dongho},
  title     = {Real-time Observation of Structural Dynamics Triggering Excimer Formation in a Perylene Bisimide Folda-dimer by Ultrafast Time-Domain Raman Spectroscopy},
  series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  volume    = {61},
  journal   = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  number    = {13},
  doi       = {10.1002/anie.202114474},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318788},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {In π-conjugated organic photovoltaic materials, an excimer state has been generally regarded as a trap state which hinders efficient excitation energy transport. But despite wide investigations of the excimer for overcoming the undesirable energy loss, the understanding of the relationship between the structure of the excimer in stacked organic compounds and its properties remains elusive. Here, we present the landscape of structural dynamics from the excimer formation to its relaxation in a co-facially stacked archetypical perylene bisimide folda-dimer using ultrafast time-domain Raman spectroscopy. We directly captured vibrational snapshots illustrating the ultrafast structural evolution triggering the excimer formation along the interchromophore coordinate on the complex excited-state potential surfaces and following evolution into a relaxed excimer state. Not only does this work showcase the ultrafast structural dynamics necessary for the excimer formation and control of excimer characteristics but also provides important criteria for designing the π-conjugated organic molecules.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuetzelFarrellShoyamaetal.2022,
  author    = {M{\"u}tzel, Carina and Farrell, Jeffrey M. and Shoyama, Kazutaka and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {12b,24b-Diborahexabenzo[a,c,fg,l,n,qr]pentacene: A Low-LUMO Boron-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon},
  series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  volume    = {61},
  journal   = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  number    = {8},
  doi       = {10.1002/anie.202115746},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318808},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Herein we devise and execute a new synthesis of a pristine boron-doped nanographene. Our target boron-doped nanographene was designed based on DFT calculations to possess a low LUMO energy level and a narrow band gap derived from its precise geometry and B-doping arrangement. Our synthesis of this target, a doubly B-doped hexabenzopentacene (B\(_{2}\)-HBP), employs six net C-H borylations of an alkene, comprising consecutive hydroboration/electrophilic borylation/dehydrogenation and BBr\(_{3}\)/AlCl\(_{3}\)/2,6-dichloropyridine-mediated C-H borylation steps. As predicted by our calculations, B\(_{2}\)-HBP absorbs strongly in the visible region and emits in the NIR up to 1150 nm in o-dichlorobenzene solutions. Furthermore, B\(_{2}\)-HBP possesses a very low LUMO level, showing two reversible reductions at -1.00 V and -1.17 V vs. Fc\(^{+}\)/Fc. Our methodology is surprisingly selective despite its implementation of unfunctionalized precursors and offers a new approach to the synthesis of pristine B-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.},
  language  = {en}
}