Engineering Curvature in Metal-Embedded Molecular Macrocycles

Macrocycles are ring-shaped molecules with internal cavities that can interact with single molecules, ions, or small clusters, making them valuable across areas such as catalysis, optoelectronics, sensing, and environmental remediation. Most known macrocycles are purely organic because their synthesis is well established, while macrocycles that incorporate metal atoms directly into their ring backbone remain rare and poorly understood. The host research group at the University of Saskatchewan is developing new strategies to build these metal-containing molecular rings and explore the unique properties they enable, including tunable optical, redox, and magnetic behavior.

This project explores a new way to construct curved molecular structures by embedding platinum or palladium centers directly into ring-shaped molecules rather than attaching metals at the periphery. These precisely defined ‘molecular nanhoops’ allow systematic investigation of how molecular curvature influences electronic and light-responsive properties, which is important for the rational design of advanced functional materials.

The collaboration brings together complementary expertise in macrocycle chemistry and self-assembly from the home institution in Mexico (Cinvestav, Tiburcio Lab) with advanced synthetic and characterization capabilities in Canada. It will provide high-level research training while fostering long-term international collaboration and strengthening Canada’s leadership in fundamental molecular and materials science.

Faculty Supervisor:

Miguel Soto

Student:

Partner:

Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: