Since its inception, organic synthesis has played a fundamental role in the development of society, as its efficiency is essential for the preparation of materials in several strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, transportation and energy. In this context, organic borazines have emerged as promising molecules useful both as doping units and organic semiconductors, particularly in the production of photovoltaics and organic transistors. However, like most “fine chemical” products, their engineering is generally complex and harmful to the environment due to the need for dangerous reagents, solvents, and harsh reaction conditions. Recent adopted advancements in the manufacturing process, including continuous-flow synthesis and the use of safer, biomass-derived solvents, have been confirmed through a comprehensive cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA). The study, compared to four batch processes from the literature, identified electricity consumption as the primary contributor to environmental and human health impacts. Additionally, it was demonstrated that adopting a continuous-flow approach, which reduces electricity consumption and leverages safer reaction media such as 2-MeTHF, characterized by an exceptional recovery rate (90%), proved to be an effective strategy, resulting in a notable 11% reduction in emissions. Furthermore, an uncertainty analysis using the Monte Carlo method revealed that energy mixes reliant on fossil fuels increase the impacts across all categories related to human health damage.
The group is led by Professor Davide Bonifazi at the Institute of Organic Chemistry in the University of Vienna.
We do research in synthetic organic chemistry to develop supramolecular architectures that, through the exploitation of their peculiar physical and structural properties, can contribute to the demonstration of key functions or basic concepts at the intersection of physical organic chemistry, materials science and biology.
Assessing the energetic and environmental sustainability of organic borazines preparation: A comprehensive life cycle assessment and uncertainty analysis
Expression of hyperconjugative stereoelectronic interactions in borazines
This paper discusses hyperconjugative stereoelectronic effects in borazines. A series of alkyl-substituted borazines were synthesized and analysed by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Supported by NBO analyses, the significant decreases in 1JCH coupling constant for the CH groups adjacent to the boron atoms are consistent with the presence of and interactions. These interactions lower the electrophilicity of boron atoms, enhancing moisture stability and establishing these molecules as valuable scaffolds in synthetic chemistry and materials science.
Escape from Flatland: Stereoselective Synthesis of Hexa-aryl Borazines and their sp²-Based 3D Architectures
Borazine and its derivatives can be considered critical doping units for engineering hybrid C(sp2)-based molecules with tailored optoelectronic properties. Herein, we report the first synthesis of hexaarylborazines that, bearing ortho-substituted aryl moieties, extend three-dimensionally. Using a one-pot protocol, we first form an electrophilic chloroborazole and then react it with an aryl lithium (ArLi). By selecting the appropriate ortho-substituent, we can guide the ArLi to add to the BN-core in a specific way, ultimately controlling the stereochemical outcome of the three-substitution reaction. Rationalization of the stereochemical model through computational analysis allowed us to show that when aryl lithium nucleophiles bearing rigid long-range ortho-substituents are used, i.e., stiff substituents. The ortho-substituent shields its side of the electrophilic B3N3 core, biasing the incoming ArLi to add anti at each addition step, forming the final tri-aryl borazine exclusively as cc-isomer. Leveraging this stereoselective approach, prototypical multichromophoric borazine derivatives were prepared, and we showcased how the stereochemical arrangement of these chromophores distinctly influences their redox behavior. This methodology paves the way for previously inaccessible borazines to serve as privileged precursors to transcend the conventional bidimensionality associated with graphenoid systems and pioneer the construction of new forms of three-dimensional C(sp2)-based architectures.
Long-range supramolecular assembly of a pyrene-derivatized polythiophene/MWCNT hybrid for resilient flexible electrochromic displays
Organic electrochromic polymers hold great potential for integration into low-power flexible electrochromic displays (F-ECDs) due to their wide range of colors and simple processing. However, challenges such as inefficient charge transfer and degradation upon device integration hinder their practical applications. Herein, we report an innovative, general approach that utilizes template-induced supramolecular nanostructuring to engineer established electrochromic polymers, enhancing their performance and durability. We modified a well-known, albeit underperforming in F-ECDs, poly-thiophene polymer (ECP Orange; PT) by incorporating a pyrene appendage, resulting in a copolymer (PTPy) capable of undergoing large-scale assembly in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), driven by the establishment of π–π interactions between the pyrene and the MWCNTs (PTPy/MWCNTs). F-ECDs based on these hybrids, produced by spray coating, exhibit improved color switching speeds (t90OX = 3.6 s, t90RED = 0.3 s) compared to those of the PT polymer (t90OX = 53.2 s, t90RED = 2.5 s). Additionally, PTPy/MWCNTs F-ECDs demonstrate longer cyclability (half-life based on ΔE, ΔE50% = 17.6k cycles) compared to PT (ΔE50% = 278 cycles), also when blended with MWCNTs (ΔE50% = 282 cycles). This work highlights the pivotal role of engineered supramolecular nanostructuring in boosting the performance of organic electrochromic materials, making them suitable for F-ECD scalable commercial applications.
DoSChem Symposium 2024
In September, some PhD students from the Bonifazi Group took part in the annual symposium organized by DoSChem, presenting their research through posters and oral talks.
The event was a great opportunity to share our latest findings and get valuable feedback from peers. It’s always exciting to discuss our work with other researchers and hear fresh perspectives that can help shape future directions.
KinderUni 2024
Today, PhD students and postdocs from the Bonifazi Group joined the exciting KinderUni event, where curiosity and science come together for young minds!
This yearly initiative allows children to explore the wonders of science through fun, hands-on experiments. This year, our team prepared engaging activities including ball games, slime-making, and crafting bouncing balls. The children loved experimenting, learning, and discovering the science behind these creations – all while having loads of fun!
We’re thrilled to have shared our passion for science with the next generation of curious minds. Looking forward to inspiring more young scientists in future editions of KinderUni!
Kindergarten activity
Spinoff Fellowship Demo Day
Congratulations to Laura who presented her IrrevoChrom FFG Spin-off Fellowship topic and spin-off project at the Demo Day in front of the Science Minister Martin Polaschek and the Head of the FFG Henrietta Egerth.
For more info: brutkasten.com/artikel/ffg-spin-off-fellowship-demoday
FFG Spin-off Fellowship awarded
The “IrrevoChrom” project is one out of total eleven recently granted FFG spin-off fellowships that will be led by FFG fellow Laura Maggini and host Davide Bonifazi at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Vienna.
The FFG-funded IrrevoChrom Spin-off Fellowship will build on the patent developed in the Bonifazi group (EP application No EP22164076.6) within the framework of the Charisma Marie-Sklodowska Curie project they are coordinating, entailing the formulation of an irreversible EC matrix composed of both the chromogenic material, an anti-oxidant and electrolyte, to develop and scale-up a commercially viable and completely irreversible electrochromic ink compatible with industrial manufacturing processes.
Upon activation, this ink will provide a stark and permanent color transition (colorless to black), impossible to reverse. Thanks to the new formulations developed in this Fellowship, we will match our technology with industrial ECDs productions processes, jump starting its commercial exploitation, and develop in collaboration with Silicon Austria Labs activatable tamperproof demos.
New DoSChem awardees of “New Ideas” program
DoSChem awards with 24811.20 Euro the joint expertise of Martina Crosta (Institute of Organic Chemistry, Davide Bonifazi group) and David Hernández-Castillo (Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, Leticia González group) with the proposal “Conjugation-Induced TADF Emitters: A Theoretically-Driven Experimental Design”.
Good luck Martina and David with their project!