Wouter Maes

Oxacalix[n](het)arenes

Oxacalix[n]arenes, reassessed members of the calixarene family in which the traditional methylene bridges are replaced by oxygen atoms, have emerged as a promising class of macrocycles in recent years. This tutorial review summarizes the synthetic progress made in the field during the last few years and aims to stimulate its current evolution from a merely synthetic to a more applied branch of macro- and supramolecular chemistry.

The ISOS-3 inter-laboratory collaboration focused on the stability of a variety of organic photovoltaic devices

Seven distinct sets (n ≥ 12) of state of the art organic photovoltaic devices were prepared by leading research laboratories in a collaboration planned at the Third International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability (ISOS-3). All devices were shipped to RISO DTU and characterized simultaneously up to 1830 h in accordance with established ISOS-3 protocols under three distinct illumination conditions: accelerated full sun simulation; low level indoor fluorescent lighting; and dark storage with daily measurement under full sun simulation. Three nominally identical devices were used in each experiment both to provide an assessment of the homogeneity of the samples and to distribute samples for a variety of post soaking analytical measurements at six distinct laboratories enabling comparison at various stages in the degradation of the devices. Over 100 devices with more than 300 cells were used in the study. We present here design and fabrication details for the seven device sets, benefits and challenges associated with the unprecedented size of the collaboration, characterization protocols, and results both on individual device stability and uniformity of device sets, in the three illumination conditions.

Efficient Post-Macrocyclization Functionalizations of Oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidines

Diversely functionalized oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidines have been synthesized starting from a bis(methylsulfanyl)-substituted oxacalix[4]arene by two efficient post-macrocyclization pathways. Functionalized aryl groups were introduced on the pyrimidine building block via Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reactions, while a variety of O-, S-, N-, and C-nucleophiles were inserted on the calixarene skeleton by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions on the bis(methylsulfonyl)oxacalix[4]arene analogue.

Efficient fragment coupling approaches toward large oxacalix[n]arenes (n = 6, 8).

The first rational, stepwise synthesis of enlarged oxacalix[n]arenes (n > 4) is described. Variously substituted oxacalix[3]arene[3]pyrimidines were prepared rather selectively by a straightforward [3 + 3] fragment coupling approach after a thorough search for the optimum nucleophilic aromatic substitution conditions. Similar procedures also allowed facile synthesis of unsymmetrical oxacalix[4]- and oxacalix[8]arenes.

Synthetic, Structural, and Photophysical Exploration of meso‐Pyrimidinyl‐Substituted AB2‐Corroles

meso-Pyrimidinyl-substituted AB(2)-corroles were efficiently synthesized starting from 5-mesityldipyrromethane and various 2-substituted 4,6-dichloropyrimidine-5-carbaldehydes. The corrole yield was significantly enhanced by optimization of the amount of Lewis acid catalyst (BF(3).OEt(2)). The main advantage of pyrimidinylcorroles over other meso-triarylcorroles is their wide range of functionalization possibilities, which has been explored by nucleophilic and electrophilic aromatic substitution, and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Stepwise substitution of the chlorine functions afforded asymmetrically substituted pyrimidinylcorroles. Due to the lability of the free-base corrole macrocycles, functionalization of the corrole periphery was preferentially performed on the Cu-metalated counterparts. Functionalized free-base AB(2)-pyrimidinylcorroles were, however, readily accessible by the reversible sequence Cu insertion and subsequent reductive demetalation. AB(2)-pyrimidinylcorroles can hence be regarded as highly versatile platforms towards more sophisticated corrole systems. X-ray analysis of a bis(4-tert-butylphenoxy)-substituted Cu-pyrimidinylcorrole showed the typical features of a Cu-corrole: short N-Cu distances and a saddled corrole plane. The absorption spectra and photophysical properties of some representative free-base AB(2)-pyrimidinylcorroles were examined in depth. The absorption spectra displayed typical corrole features: intense spin-allowed pi-pi* bands, which can be classified as Soret- and Q-type bands. The photophysical properties, investigated both in fluid solution at room temperature and in rigid matrix at 77 K, were governed by the lowest-lying pi-pi* singlet state; however, in most cases, a state with partial charge-transfer character (from the corrole ring to the pyrimidinyl group) was proposed to contribute to the dynamic properties of the emissive level.

(Thio)ureido anion receptors based on a 1,3-alternate oxacalix[2]arene[2] pyrimidine scaffold

In pursuit of highly preorganized macrocyclic host molecules for the complexation of anions, a series of oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-based bis(thio)ureido receptors were synthesized and fully characterized. The pincer-like 1,3-alternate conformation of the oxacalix[4]arene scaffold, essential for an efficient host-guest interaction, was visualized by single-crystal X-ray analysis and supported by variable-temperature NMR studies. The anion binding properties of the receptors were evaluated via (1)H NMR titration experiments, showing intermolecular interactions with H(2)PO(4)(-), AcO(-), BzO(-), and Cl(-) ions. The host molecule bearing 4-nitrophenyl substituents on the bisurea binding pocket showed association constants in the range of 200-400 M(-1) in the strongly competitive solvent mixture of DMSO/0.5% H(2)O.

Toward bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells with thermally stable active layer morphology

Abstract. When state-of-the-art bulk heterojunction organic solar cells with ideal morphology are exposed to prolonged storage or operation at elevated temperatures, a thermally induced disruption of the active layer blend can occur, in the form of a separation of donor and acceptor domains, leading to diminished photovoltaic performance. Toward the long-term use of organic solar cells in real-life conditions, an important challenge is, therefore, the development of devices with a thermally stable active layer morphology. Several routes are being explored, ranging from the use of high glass transition temperature, cross-linkable and/or side-chain functionalized donor and acceptor materials, to light-induced dimerization of the fullerene acceptor. A better fundamental understanding of the nature and underlying mechanisms of the phase separation and stabilization effects has been obtained through a variety of analytical, thermal analysis, and electro-optical techniques. Accelerated aging systems have been used to study the degradation kinetics of bulk heterojunction solar cells in situ at various temperatures to obtain aging models predicting solar cell lifetime. The following contribution gives an overview of the current insights regarding the intrinsic thermally induced aging effects and the proposed solutions, illustrated by examples of our own research groups.

Expeditive syntheses of functionalized pentahelicenes and NC-AFM on Ag(001).

One of the shortest and most efficient routes toward a series of functionalized pentahelicenes is reported. Benzylic (dibromo)methine coupling is an important entry into functional helicene chemistry. It allowed a mono- or a double functionalization by some metal-catalyzed Ar-C, Ar-S, Ar-CN, and Ar-I bond formations. Those functions offer new avenues for further applications. For instance, helicene (4) can be supported on a Ag(001) surface, which was characterized by high-resolution NC-AFM imaging.

Selenacalix[3]triazines: synthesis and host–guest chemistry

The heteracalixarene series (N/O/S) has been expanded with Se-bridged cyclotrimeric macrocycles. Selenacalix[3]triazines were synthesized by convenient one-pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions and they showed peculiar supramolecular features. The N tridentate binding pocket was capable of coordinating both copper ions and anions.

meso-Pyrimidinyl-Substituted A2B- and A3-Corroles

A variety of meso-pyrimidinyl-substituted A(2)B- and A(3)-corroles (A = 4,6-dichloropyrimidin-5-yl) have been synthesized by careful optimization of the macrocyclization conditions. meso-Pyrimidinylcorroles offer the distinct advantage of an unprecedented broad scope of functionalization options. Highly sterically encumbered triarylcorroles were readily prepared via efficient nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Suzuki cross-coupling procedures.