Abstract:

This seminar will present a story of an anion receptor so-called “calix[4]pyrroles” by studying the chemistry and material applications of this tetrapyrrolic macrocycle here in Istanbul Technical University. Calix[4]pyrrole is a term that was introduced into the literature in 1996 by Jonathan L. Sessler because of its structural resemblance to calix[4]arenes. Indeed, the story of calix[4]pyrroles ways back to 1886 when Baeyer first synthesized and suggested its today’s known structure. Because of the existence of sp³ hybridized carbon bridges between pyrrole rings, calix[4]pyrroles are not planar as seen in tetrapyrrolic porphyrin macrocycles. They have found application in areas as diverse as anion recognition (capturing species with negative charges), anion sensing, extraction (removal of pollutants from waste streams), and production of multidimensional supramolecular polymer systems (utilization of noncovalent directional and reversible interactions).  

In this presentation, the focus will be on a set of calix[4]pyrrole assemblies that are used for the development of simple yet extremely sensitive fluoride anion sensors based on indicator displacement assay approach. Additionally, first examples of stimuli responsive supramolecular polymer systems originated from anion recognition ability of calix[4]pyrroles and their utilization in the fabrication of hierarchical materials. Furthermore, some recent research highlights related to rotaxane chemistry of integrated calix[4]pyrrole systems will also be introduced.

Short Biography of the Speaker:

Assoc. Prof. Abdullah Aydogan was born in Nigde, Türkiye on Feb 17, 1978. He received a B.S. degree in chemistry in 2000 from the Istanbul Technical University. He obtained a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Istanbul Technical University in collaboration with The University of Texas at Austin in 2010 (supervisor: Professor Ahmet Akar, co-supervisor: Professor Jonathan L. Sessler).  He was a Postdoctoral fellow at The University of Texas at Austin between 2012 and 2013. During his post-doctoral research with Prof. Jonathan L. Sessler at the University of Texas at Austin, USA, he worked in the area of calix[4]pyrrole based supramolecular polymers, anion recognition triggered assembly and disassembly of nanoparticles, and the electrochemical anions sensors. Currently, he is an associate professor at the Istanbul Technical University. His research focuses on the development of supramolecular polymers based on anion recognition, supramolecular chemistry and its application in recognition, sensing, and material fabrication.