Photofunction-Directed Coordination Molecular Engineering

Molecular engineering has emerged as a highly interdisciplinary field of study on function-directed molecular design, material synthesis, and property optimization, accompanied by a deep understanding of the structure-property relationship. In this review, our recent progress on the design and preparations of photofunctional metal complexes and related materials is summarized from the perspective of coordination molecular engineering. In particular, a series of cyclometalated diruthenium complexes with near-infrared (NIR) electrochromic property have been synthesized by engineering the bridging ligand structures. A group of ruthenium-amine conjugated complexes with multistage NIR electrochromism are obtained on the basis of a multicenter strategy. By engineering the ligand structures, a series of new ruthenium and platinum complexes are synthesized to show switchable luminescence in response to various stimuli. In addition, photoluminescent ruthenium, iridium, and platinum complexes are assembled to afford micro/nanocrystals with well-defined morphology and luminescent properties. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Ruthenium-triarylamine conjugated system is one of my favorite topics. How do you get into this specific field? Molecular materials with multistage redox processes and multiple near- infrared absorptions are a challenging task in the field of electrochromism and molecular switching. The combination of cyclometalated ruthenium complexes and triarylamines allows us to solve this issue by using a multicenter strategy with a great structural and functional diversity. What is the most important personality for scientific research? Personally, I consider honesty, curiosity, and persistence are the most important and fundamental personalities in carrying out scientific research. What's your hobbies? I enjoy playing basketball and watching basketball matches in leisure time. How do you keep balance between research and family? I like managing time by prioritizing daily tasks. If time permits, I'm glad to join family activities in cooking, walking, exercising, etc. I always appreciate and support my wife's career and my daughter's studies, from which I receive their returns in support of my career. Could you please give us some advices on improving Chinese Journal of Chemistry? Chin. J. Chem. is a classical and influential journal of chemistry. The impact of the journal keeps increasing especially in recent years. In my point of view, it would be helpful for the journal by keeping a balance among different subjects of chemistry while welcoming manuscripts on material and energy-related interdisciplinary researches. In addition, in order to further boost its global reputation, I would like to suggest inviting more international scientists to contribute to the journal.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the recent progress in the design and preparations of photofunctional metal complexes and related materials from the perspective of coordination molecular engineering. The research group's favorite topic is the ruthenium-triarylamine conjugated system. The most important qualities for scientific research are considered to be honesty, curiosity, and persistence, while balancing work and family life is achieved through time management and prioritization of daily tasks.