Phthalocyaninato Transition Metal / Lanthanide-Supported Polyoxometalate Complexes for the Study of Large-Area Molecular Charge Transport Properties

• Applicant: Dr. Kirill Monakhov
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432224404

The project addresses the interdisciplinary coordination and physicochemical aspects of the as-yet-underdeveloped class of polyoxometalates (POMs) derivatized with phthalocyaninato (Pc)-supported transition metal / lanthanide moieties. The crucial structural feature to be developed is the direct grafting of metal–Pc moieties onto the lacunary POM core. The resulting hybrid compounds are expected to exhibit a variety of valuable properties at the level of individual molecules in solution and in the solid state and in the form of their self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on (semi-)conductive surfaces. The exceptional interplay between the molecular POM charge and the POM redox and/or magnetic states that are combined with the redox activity of Pc ligands and the paramagnetism of metal–Pc moieties is called to help identify diverse perspectives for controlled manipulation of charge transport through the incorporated d- and f-states in tunnel junctions. The diffraction, spectroscopic, magnetochemical, surface-sensitive and quantum mechanical methods will be used to gain in-depth insights into the processability of synthesized heteroleptic metal complexes toward two-dimensional monolayers, their compatibility with different conductive and semi-conductive surfaces, and the electrical triggering of stimuli-responsive states of SAMs. The findings of this cross-disciplinary investigation aim to boost further progress in the area of molecular electronics and spintronics, with the eventual goal to enable technology transfer and commercialization of the fundamental efforts to practical molecule-based computer memory devices.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants