Project description
A closer look at photo switchable activation of sigma-holes
Understanding and governing intermolecular interaction is crucial for fine-tuning the physical and chemical properties of ordered materials and regulating molecule communication within a molecular assembly. The Halogen bonds (XB) and chalcogen bonds (ChB) are sigma-hole interactions that have gained attention thanks to their directionality and predictability. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HALO project aims to deepen the understanding of XB and ChB by researching solutions for switching them on or off during interactions. The project will use photo-induced manipulation to toggle these interactions in electrophile-nucleophile interactions and leverage this to develop novel strategies for other processes.
Objective
Governing intermolecular interactions is crucial for i) controlling how molecules communicate within a molecular assembly, and ii) fine-tuning the physical and chemical properties of ordered materials. Halogen bonds (XB) and chalcogen bonds (ChB) are two sigma-hole interactions that are garnering significant attention across various fields such as supramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, anion recognition, and catalysis, owing to their directionality and strong predictability. Among the numerous factors influencing the molecular organization of interacting partners, interaction strength plays a significant role. Its increase or decrease is pivotal in activating or deactivating recognition phenomena. Current strategies to optimize the recognition process are limited to strongly activated XB/ChB donors. The switching on/off (reversible control) of XB and ChB interactions has never been explored and could have valuable implications in virtually all fields where these interactions occur. This seems to be the next essential challenge in the realm of sigma-hole interactions and will be addressed by HALO. HALO aims to: (a) Photo-induced manipulation of the inherent electrostatics of heavier halogen/chalcogen atoms to toggle their involvement in electrophilenucleophile interactions on or off, (b) Exploit this control over interactions to develop new strategies for time-honored recognition processes, e.g. sensing of toxic anions like CN, NO2, AsO43. While sigma-hole interactions have been known for decades, their photochemical activation has not been addressed until now. Notably, the hydrogen bond, the most utilized molecular interaction across interdisciplinary fields, does not offer any means for such electrostatic control. The breakthrough of this project lies in introducing reversibility to the state-of-the-art XB/ChB-based recognition strategies, paving the way for a new generation of XB/ChB-based light-responsive materials for green processes and devices.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry halogens
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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20133 Milano
Italy
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