Supramolecular control of photoeliminations
Principal investigator
Dynamics of the supramolecular systems facilitates control of the photochemical reactivity and opens opportunities for reactions which cannot be conducted by conventional synthetic methods, in the thermal reactions in isotropic solution. The main strategy of the proposed project is to apply different supramolecular systems to control photochemical reactivity. The proposed research should increase the fundamental knowledge in supramolecular chemistry, photophysics and photochemistry of the polycyclic molecules in isotropic media and the supramolecular complexes. The research will be focused on three photoelimination reactions: extrusion of nitrogen from diazirines and diazo precursors (giving carbenes), photodecarboxylation of different derivatives activated by phthalimides, and photodehydration and photodeamination giving quinone methide intermediates. The aspects which we will address include the effects of molecular geometry on reactivity and stability constants of the inclusion complexes, as well as influence of the complexation on the photophysical properties of different chromophores, efficiency of the photochemical reactions and product distribution. In connection with the proposed investigations it will be necessary to synthesize a large number of well defined and in some cases extremely complex molecules which will certainly ask for substantial innovations in the synthetic methodology and development of the existing techniques. The scientific goals of the project will go beyond the state of the art and search for bio-medical applications. A series of compounds will be screened for antiproliferative activity, providing lead molecules for further research and potential development of cancer treatment with minimal side effects.