Ion sensing, light harvesting, energy conversion & self-assembly in rationally designed molecular constructs

Abstract

In this thesis, we have constructed rationally designed functional supramolecular systems. In the first chapter, we reported two Bodipy based chemodosimeters to detect fluoride both in solution and in polymethylmethaacraylate (PMMA) matrix. In the second part, we synthesized tetrastyrl-Bodipy derivatives by condensing methyl substituents of 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-Bodipy dyes with different aromatic aldehydes. The resulting dyes have sharp and intense emission maxima in the near-IR region and they are robust candidates for functional supramolecular systems because of their outstanding properties. In next chapter, we investigated light harvesting properties of these new generation near-IR emissive dyes. In designed light harvesters, a near-IR emissive tetrastyrl-Bodipy dye which was decorated with short wavelength Bodipy fluorophores function as antenna units. In the forth chapter, we reported a Cu(I)-diimine complex as a photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). It was demonstrated that Cu(I) diimine complex with capability of ultrafast electron injection to TiO2 nanoparticles can be a very good candidate for replacing ruthenium based polypyridyl complexes with a much lower cost. This research potentially can generate significant impact for those working on solar energy conversion and DSSC. In the final chapter, we propose to utilize oscillations in pH to move the two components of pseudorotoxane in relation to each other and this is the first example of a pseudorotaxane in which the mobile component is shuttling autonomously.