Redox-Responsive Functional Systems

Research in our group focuses on the investigation of redox-switchable systems across all length scales. To this end we develop novel redox-active organic molecules whose molecular properties, including their colour, fluorescence, charge and geometry can be reversibly switched by chemical or electrochemical redox stimuli. Subsequently, we study their switching properties in detail using different advanced electrochemical and spectroscopic tools and then apply these systems in various proof-of-principle applications, ranging from molecular machines to receptors and sensors.

A particular focus is the integration of such redox switches into larger assemblies and materials, including surfaces, polymers, nanoparticles and other structured matter. One the one hand, this enables the translation of their switching function from the nano to the macroscale. Consequently, these systems may be of interest as smart surfaces/materials, in molecular electronics, for information/energy storage or as actuators. On the other hand, we aim to rationally tune the redox (switching) properties of our responsive building blocks by judiciously adjusting their local  environment, for example with respect to the local polarity, dielectric or crowding. This is expected to enable the design of improved systems with hitherto unexplored and emergent redox and switching properties.

 

Reversible redox-switching of small-molecule organic building blocks is accompanied by tunable changes in, for example, charge, colour, fluorescence or molecular geometry. Upon integration of these redox switches into suitable architectures, their switching function can be amplified and exploited in numerous applications.
© Robert Hein

Key publications

  1. Mix and Match Tuning of the Conformational and Multistate Redox Switching Properties of an Overcrowded Alkene
    Hein R, Stindt C N, and Feringa B L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146, 26275-26285 (2024)
  2. Redox-Switchable Aromaticity in a Helically Extended Indeno[2,1-c]fluorene
    Sidler E, Hein R, Doellerer D, Feringa B L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146, 19168–19176 (2024)
  3. A Multiresponsive Ferrocene-Based Chiral Overcrowded Alkene Twisting Liquid Crystals
    Fellert M, Hein R, Ryabchun A, Gisbert Y, Stindt C N, Feringa B L. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., e202413047 (2024)
  4. Redox-Modulated Fluorescent Halogen Bonding and Hydrogen Bonding Anion Sensing
    Taylor A J, Hein R, Patrick S C, Davis J J, Beer P D. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63, e20231595 (2024)
  5. Continuous and Polarisation-tuned Redox Capacitive Anion Sensing at Electroactive Interfaces
    Patrick S C, Hein R, Beer P D, Davis J J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143, 19199–19206 (2021)