Project information
Photoswitchable metallosupramolecular cages as artificial enzymes (Pia Yasmine Jurček, Ph.D.)

Synthetic self-assemblies, metallosupramolecular cages, mimic enzymatic structure having well-defined hydrophobic pockets where they can catalyse simple organic reactions and act as reaction vessels. Nevertheless, often the hydrophobic products are too large to be released from the cavity and recycling the reaction vessel is challenging. Photoswitchable metallosupramolecular cages can provide solution for this, however, their use in catalysis or as reaction vessels have not been demonstrated so far. Moreover, there are still challenges getting metallosupramolecular cages water-soluble. The aim of this project is to develop photoswitchable metallosupramolecular cages in aqueous solution that can uptake, transform, and release guests (reagents, products) in a controllable way.