Korwin M. Schelkle

Light‐Induced Protein Dimerization by One‐ and Two‐Photon Activation of Gibberellic Acid Derivatives in Living Cells

We developed a highly efficient system for light-induced protein dimerization in live cells using photo-caged derivatives of the phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3 ). We demonstrate the application of the photo-activatable chemical inducer of dimerization (CID) for the control of protein translocation with high spatiotemporal precision using light as an external trigger. Furthermore, we present a new two-photon (2P)-sensitive caging group, whose exceptionally high two-photon cross section allows the use of infrared light to efficiently unleash the active GA3 for inducing protein dimerization in living cells.

Electron-transporting phenazinothiadiazoles with engineered microstructure

Novel triisopropylsilyl-(TIPS)-alkynylated phenazinothiadiazoles were prepared by condensation of ortho-quinones and an alkynylated 5,6-diamino-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole. The targets show head-to-head dimerisation in the solid state, which, according to calculated transfer integrals should favor charge transport. The compounds form polycrystalline thin films when spin cast from solution. Two derivatives are attractive electron transporting materials with an average electron mobility μe in thin film transistors (TFT) of 0.07 cm2 V−1 s−1.

Light‐Induced Solubility Modulation of Polyfluorene To Enhance the Performance of OLEDs

Liquid-phase processing is a key prerequisite for the cost-efficient fabrication of organic electronic devices. We report an approach for light-induced modulation of the solubility of π-conjugated polymers (polyfluorene) with side chains functionalized with hydroxycinnamic acid. Irradiation with light cleaves the solubilizing side chains and renders the thin films of the polyfluorene insoluble. In a proof of concept device, polyfluorenes were applied as emissive layers in OLEDs. Photoirradiation of the emission layer leads to an increase in OLED performance combined with a modulation of the solubility of the thin film. These results offer the possibility for further development in terms of manipulating the solubility and emissive parameters of an important class of functional materials.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Nickel-Hexaaluminates in Reforming Reactions Part II: Activity and Stability of Nanostructured Nickel-Hexaaluminate-Based Catalysts in the Dry Reforming of Methane

Ni–hexaaluminates exhibiting a high magnetoplumbite or β“‐alumina phase content (>80 wt %) and high specific surface areas (10–30 m2 g−1) were investigated under dry reforming conditions. Ni content and choice of mirror plane cation are the key factors controlling the structure–property relationship in the dry reforming reaction of CH4. The Ni content is favorably kept below a threshold of y=0.25 in ANiyAl12‐yO19−δ, (A=Ba, La, Sr) to ensure controlled nanoparticle formation and to avoid uncontrolled Ni0 nanoparticle growth apart from the support. Sr,Ni and Ba,Ni–hexaaluminates promote high activity of the catalyst in the dry reforming reaction of CH4, but show fast deactivation if the Ni content is maladjusted in the hexaaluminate framework (y≥0.5). La,Ni–magnetoplumbites display much lower activity accompanied by fast deactivation. The use of very high calcination temperatures (1600 °C) resulting in low specific surface area is detrimental to the activity in the dry reforming of CH4, simultaneously higher hexaaluminate phase content obtained undoes catalytic stability, reasoned by Ni0 nanoparticles produced after reduction cannot be stabilized over surface defects typically found on hexaaluminate platelets calcined at moderated temperatures (<1300 °C). As a result, larger metallic Ni ensembles are built up, selectivity to coke is increased and catalytic stability is compromised.

Structure–Activity Relationships of Nickel–Hexaaluminates in Reforming Reactions Part I: Controlling Nickel Nanoparticle Growth and Phase Formation

The controlled synthesis of hexaaluminates ANiyAl12−yO19−δ (A=Ba, La, Sr, and y=0.25, 0.5, 1) is reported by a freeze drying route. This route allows the use of moderate temperatures of approximately 1200 °C to obtain hexaaluminates of high phase purity (>80 wt %) as well as high specific surface areas (10–30 m2 g−1). Under reducing conditions at elevated temperatures, nickel expulsion from the hexaaluminate framework can be observed. High stability of the crystalline phase is observed even if all substitution cations leave the hexaaluminate framework. The moderate calcination temperature of 1200 °C facilitates the reducibility of the Ni–hexaaluminates compared to Ni–hexaaluminates calcined at 1600 °C. SEM and TEM imaging revealed that Ni–hexaaluminates with low Ni loading (y=0.25) and calcined at moderate temperature (1200 °C) lead under reducing atmosphere to the formation of strong textural growth and highly disperse and highly textured Ni0 nanoparticles. Nanoparticle growth is associated to surface defect sites occurring on the hexaaluminate platelets.

Emission turn-on and solubility turn-off in conjugated polymers: one- and two-photon-induced removal of fluorescence-quenching solubilizing groups.

The synthesis of highly efficient two-photon uncaging groups and their potential use in functional conjugated polymers for post-polymerization modification are reported. Careful structural design of the employed nitrophenethyl caging groups allows to efficiently induce bond scission by a two-photon process through a combination of exceptionally high two-photon absorption cross-sections and high reaction quantum yields. Furthermore, π-conjugated polyfluorenes are functionalized with these photocleavable side groups and it is possible to alter their emission properties and solubility behavior by simple light irradiation. Cleavage of side groups leads to a turn-on of the fluorescence while solubility of the π-conjugated materials is drastically reduced.