Connessioni scientifiche n.5: Prof. Kamran Mahmudov

Prof. Kamran Mahmudov, Excellence Center, Baku State University, Azerbaijan

The concept of “supramolecular synthons” – repeating structural pattern within or between molecules through noncovalent interactions like hydrogen or halogen bonds as well as π-interactions – is a well-recognized synthetic strategy in the synthesis and engineering of new materials. Similarly to the other weak interactions, chalcogen-bonded supramolecular synthons can also be utilized in crystal engineering, drug design, homogeneous catalysis, guest binding, molecular transportation, separation, E/Z photo switching, etc. In fact, the presence of two σ-hole centres on the chalcogen atom provides an additional advantage in the use of chalcogen bonding in synthetic chemistry for functional materials. In this seminar, we discuss selected recent examples to demonstrate the potential of chalcogen-bonded synthons in the decorating organic and coordination building blocks of materials as well as influence of various factors on these weak forces in synthetic chemistry, to inspire the innovative research in this area.