Marcus Weck

Electroluminescent Poly(quinoline)s and Metalloquinolates

Over the last two decades, poly(quinoline)s have become the subject of intense research as electroluminescent materials, for example organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), thanks to their superior physical properties such as high electron mobility, photoluminescent efficiency, and stability. In this review, we outline the current research efforts on the employment of poly(quinoline)s and their closely related metallated analogs as materials for organic light‐emitting diodes. We will describe in detail the advantages and disadvantages of current poly(quinoline) systems, and suggest strategies to overcome current challenges that limit their use in OLEDs.

Design, synthesis, characterization, and fluorescent studies of the first zinc-quinolate polymer

We report the design, synthesis, and characterization of the first Znq2-copolymers, which demonstrate excellent photoluminescence properties, with emission wavelengths ranging from the blue to the yellow, while retaining full solution processability.

Stability of supported pincer complex-based catalysts in Heck catalysis

Several studies question the stability of palladated pincer complexes under Heck catalysis conditions. Through a series of poisoning tests, kinetic and spectroscopic studies, and computational experiments, these studies prove that any supported as well as small molecule Pd-pincer complexes decompose during the Heck catalysis. Furthermore, no experimental proof could be obtained with regard to the proposed Pd(II)/Pd(IV) catalytic cycle, which is a requirement for the Heck promoted by stable Pd(II) pincer complexes. The decomposition results may be applicable to other Pd-coupling chemistry because they follow similar catalytic cycles. Despite the detailed kinetic and poisoning studies, recent literature still show a plethora of articles that use palladated pincer complexes as catalysts for coupling chemistry where no studies to investigate the stability of the Pd pincer complexes are carried out.

Application of microgels for optical tagging

In this paper we present results from our research into the use of microgel-based photonic crystals in an optical tagging application. The basis for this research is the phenomena of self-assembly of hydrogel nano- and microparticles (i.e., microgels) into colloidal crystal Bragg reflectors. Previous research has demonstrated the assembly of Bragg structures that are sensitive in the visible spectral region. This current research focuses on the extension of this process into the infrared regime and the use of these infrared-sensitive structures in the creation of an optical tag. In particular, the research effort emphasizes two primary areas: the development of nanoparticles that are infrared-sensitive and the casting of thin films comprised of these particles. We will also present theoretical data on the optical and physical characteristics of thin films comprised of these particles. This paper will present an overview of the program, outline the processes and issues addressed during our initial efforts in creating these infrared sensitive structures and present a summary of the computational results based on the theoretical analyses.