Polymetallaynes and Molecular Metallaynes Containing Platinum, Mercury and Gold for Optoelectronic and Magnetic Applications
Authors: Zhang Chen , Xu Linli , Wong Wai‐Yeung 
Published: April 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Polymetallaynes are a promising branch of metallopolymers, in which the introduction of metal building blocks to organic conjugated backbones leads to their unique skeletons and versatile properties. Notably, the chemical structures, geometric configurations and functional properties in these organometallic systems can be adjusted flexibly by the appropriate selection of metal centers, auxiliary ligands, or bridging spacers. In recent years, both one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional polymetallaynes have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent electronic, optical and magnetic properties. Furthermore, the studies on molecular metallaynes provide substantial insights for the exploration of the structure‐property‐activity relationships in these organometallic acetylide‐containing systems. The recent research progress of polymeric and molecular metallaynes containing platinum, mercury and gold is discussed in this article. A series of functional properties have been realized in these acetylide‐containing compounds by the rational structural design and refined synthetic strategies, leading to their emerging applications including energy conversion, nonlinear optics, data storage and memory, as well as chemo/biosensing.

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?

Chemistry plays a key role in providing solutions to many of the challenges facing the world today. In particular, an understanding of chemistry is essential as the basis for medicine and public health, in addressing challenges such as global climate change, in providing sustainable sources of clean energy, and in maintaining the environment for the well‐being of people. We aim at the cutting‐edge research areas of photofunctional metal‐organic molecules and polymers for optoelectronic and energy‐related applications. Photofunctional molecular materials are considered as versatile materials for energy interconversions and optoelectronic/photonic applications, including electrical energy generation in organic solar cells (OSCs) and light generation in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), as they offer a low cost, light weight and simple option for device fabrication. We have developed new synthetic methods to produce technologically useful materials (e.g., metallopolymers and metallophosphors) with specific functional roles. Such research clearly presents a promising way out of the worldwide energy problem.

What is the most important personality for scientific research?

Although there is no guarantee of success and practical gains in doing research, it is my belief that our efforts will get harvest if we work hard and do not give up. Patience, diligence, perseverence and confidence are the prerequisites for the successful research study. Besides, there are many good research opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland by collaborating with the top researchers there in various joint projects, which would create more impact cases for the betterment of our society.

How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?

Global energy consumption is depleting non‐renewable fossil fuels at a staggering rate. Mankind's life quality depends on the development of renewable energy sources. As such, our research is dedicated to advancing technologies in energy conversion and translating light into electricity and electricity into light, hence contributing to the sustainability of human life on earth. So, we moved to work in this field by developing molecular materials for fabricating OSCs and OLEDs. These developments are complementary in that solar devices produce energy, and light‐emitting devices save energy.

How do you supervise your students?

I was deeply inspired by the passion of my former supervisors for research when I did my PhD and postdoctoral studies. Their ability to captivate me with the inherently intriguing essence of science and to share with me their passion for the discipline was particularly rewarding for me. Certain qualities I developed, such as an analytic mind and creative thinking, are the key factors that help me handle my job well nowadays. I hope that young talents will make full use of the word “Chem‐is‐try” to try more in chemical research and explore new interesting science topics. Besides, students can realize the magic of scientific research which probes them to achieve more.