Photolithographic Encoding of Metal Complexes

A platform technology for the creation of spatially resolved surfaces encoded with a monolayer consisting of different metal complexes was developed. The concept entails the light-triggered activation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of UV-labile anchors, that is, phenacylsulfides, and the subsequent cycloaddition of selected diene-functionalized metal complexes at defined areas on the surface. The synthesis and characterization of the metal complexes for the UV-light assisted anchoring on the surface and a detailed study of a short-chain oligomer model system in solution confirm the high efficiency of the photoreaction. The hybrid materials obtained by this concept can potentially be utilized for the design of highly valuable catalytic or (opto-)electronic devices.