Subphthalocyanines: Singular aromatic non-planar molecules. Synthesis, supramolecular organization and applications in solar cells 

Speaker: Prof. Tomas Torres Cebada

Department Organic Chemistry, Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain

IMDEA-Nanoscience, Madrid, Spain

Venue: Building 5, level 5, room 5220

Light refreshmentw will be served.

Abstract: Subphthalocyanines (SubPcs),^1-8 phthalocyanine analogues, are intriguing compounds made of three diiminoisoindoline units N-fused around a boron atom. Their 14 pi-electron aromatic core associated with their curved structures render them appealing building blocks for the construction of multicomponent photo- or electroactive assemblies. Recently, the development of an improved synthetic methodology for axially substituted SubPc allowed the efficient synthesis of a variety of SubPc-based hybrids. To enhance the understanding of the nature of these curve pi-extended surfaces, we have undertaken a series of studies, including the synthesis and characterization of SubPc-based capsules. SubPc pi-systems can be also organized at supramolecular level and used and active elements in molecular photovoltaics.

1. C. G. Claessens, D. González-Rodríguez, A. Medina, M. S. Rodríguez-Morgade, T. Torres. Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 2192. 2. E. Caballero, J. Fernández-Ariza, V.  M. Lynch, C. Romero-Nieto, M. S. Rodríguez-Morgade, J. L. Sessler, D. M. Guldi, T. Torres, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 11337. 3. I. Sánchez-Molina, B. Grimm, R. M. Krick Calderon, C. G. Claessens, D. M. Guldi, T. Torres. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 10503. 4. B. Verreet, D. Cheyns, P. Heremans, A. Stesmans, G. Zango, C. G. Claessens, T. Torres, B. P. Rand. Adv. Energy Mater. 2014, 4, 1301413. 5. J. Guilleme, M. J. Mayoral, J. Calbo, J. Aragó, P. M. Viruela, E. Ortí, D. González-Rodríguez, T. Torres, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 2543. 6. J. Guilleme, L. Martínez, D. González-Rodríguez, I. Corral, M. Yáñez, T. Torres, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 14289. 7. M. Rudolf, O. Trukhina, J. Perles, L. Feng, T. Akasaka, T. Torres, D. M. Guldi, Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 4141. 8. J. Guilleme, D. González-Rodríguez, T. Torres Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 9793.

Biography: 25 years ago Prof. Torres created a pioneer research group in Spain on Molecular Materials and supramolecular chemistry of porphyrinoids and carbon nanostructures. He has worked in synthetic organic chemistry in areas ranging from pharmaceutical chemistry to the development of new organic materials and the study of their optical properties for applications in optoelectronics and organic solar cells, and more recently he has focused on areas of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. He currently leads a research group of 25 people. During the last 10 years Prof. Torres´ research focused on finding molecular materials based on phthalocyanines that could join their characteristics (great synthetic versatility, nanoscopic size, processability,..) with their singular physical properties (conducting, optical and magnetic). Phthalocyanines, with a strong absorption of light in the visible range, represent a benefit for many applications.

Researcher unique identifiers: Research ID: H-9796-2014; Orcid ID: 0000-0001-9335-6935

URL for web site: www.phthalocyanines.com                   

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS: Linstead Career Award in Phthalocyanine Chemistry of the Society of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, Nanjing, China, 2016,  Doctor Honoris Causa by the University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Spain, 2016, Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) (UK), 2014. Research Prize and the Gold Medal of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013. Doctor Honoris Causa by the Ivanovo State University of Chemistry, ISUCT, Russia, 2009, JANSSEN CILAG research prize for Organic Chemistry, 2005, Fellow of the Max-Planck Society, Germany, 1978-1980

PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS: Prof. Torres has an H index of 74. He has published over 450 articles and reviews (250 in the last 10 years) (18460 total citations). He ranks 5th among the most cited Spanish chemists (693 in the world) during the last 10 years (Taken from the ISI Web of Knowledge, updated as of July 14, 2016 to cover from  January 1, 2006 - April 30, 2016) with 7.491 citations in 202 papers (37.08 citations per item) and, moreover, 14 of his papers appear in the list of "Highly Cited Papers". Prof. Torres holds 43 national and international patents (50% licensed to companies).