Using synthesis to steer excited states and their properties and functions

Abstract

The nature, properties and reactivities of ground-state molecules have been studied widely. By contrast, the parallel manipulation and knowledge of molecules in their excited states are not well controlled or understood. Here we have investigated the manipulation and control of excited-state molecules, with the generation of libraries of molecules. The power and ability of light to drive chemical reactions, conformational changes, motion, luminescence and energy conversions in nature have inspired researchers to harness excited states to achieve the desired control of manipulation of molecules in their excited state to tackle challenges in materials and energy research and sustainability. To this end, synthesis can be used to harness excited states and molecular functional materials. Furthermore, supramolecular chemistry can provide an additional dimension of control to the excited states and expand the library of excited-state functional materials. By mastering the design of excited states, an in-depth understanding and discovery of excited states with desirable properties and controllable transformation by design may open up a new area of research, resulting in libraries of excited-state molecules and chemistry that parallel ground-state chemistry and, in doing so, offer unlimited opportunities. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]