Organic Chemistry · Kiel University

We make molecules.

We create molecular switches, responsive polymers and BN-PAHs designed as functional emitters for OLED and circularly polarized luminescence applications.

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Otto Diels Institute54.338° N / 10.122° EEst. in Kiel · 2010
Professor Anne Staubitz
Principal Investigator

Full Professor · Chair of Organic Chemistry

Prof. Dr.
Anne Staubitz

Anne Staubitz studied biochemistry at the University of Tübingen and worked with Paul Knochel at LMU Munich on novel Grignard reagents. She completed her PhD with Varinder Aggarwal at the University of Bristol and continued there as a postdoctoral researcher with Ian Manners, investigating main-group inorganic polymers and catalytic dehydrocoupling reactions of group 13/15 adducts.

She began her independent career as an assistant professor at Kiel University in 2010, moved to the University of Bremen as a W2 professor in 2015 and became a W3 professor in 2020. In 2024, she returned to Kiel as Chair of Organic Chemistry.

Her research focuses on molecular switches, switchable polymer systems and their materials-science applications, as well as organotin heterocycles and organic frameworks containing group 13 and group 15 elements.

Office
OHP4 · R 216
Lab
Phone
+49 431 880-4617
Fax
+49 431 880-1558
staubitz@oc.uni-kiel.de ↗
Jonas Lobbel

Doctoral Researcher

Jonas Lobbel

Optimisation and synthesis of macrocyclic azobenzene compounds.

Office
OHP3 · R 224
Lab
OHP4 · R 217
Contact
jlobbel@oc.uni-kiel.de
Christoph Eschen

Doctoral Researcher

Christoph Eschen

Novel BN-PAHs and group 13/15-element-doped aromatic compounds as optoelectronic materials.

Office
OHP3 · R 224
Lab
OHP4 · R 209
Contact
ceschen@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Thore Klüwer

Doctoral Researcher

Thore Klüwer

Azobenzene-based materials, particularly photobendable polymer films.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
OHP4 · R 217
Contact
tkluewer@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Hinrich Reller in the laboratory

Doctoral Researcher

Hinrich Reller

Visible-light-responsive azobenzene-based materials.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
OHP4 · R 209
Contact
hreller@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Thuy Chinh Ta
photo © Dr. Matt Wiebe

Doctoral Researcher

Thuy Chinh Ta

Azobenzene-based photobendable polymer films.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
OHP4 · R 217
Contact
chinhta@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Dr. Matthew Wiebe
photo © Christoph Eschen

NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow · Researcher

Dr. Matthew Wiebe

Azobenzene-based hydrogels.

Office
OHP3 · R 224
Lab
OHP4 · R 208
Contact
mwiebe@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Noah Wolf

Doctoral Researcher

Noah Wolf

Azaborine-based emitters capable of TADF and CPL.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
OHP4 · R 209
Contact
nwolf@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Tobias Sieve

Doctoral Researcher

Tobias Sieve

Research profile details will be added soon.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
OHP4 · R 209
Contact
tsieve@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697 (office)
+49 431 880-1926 (lab)
Henrike Kartheiser

Laboratory Technician

Henrike Kartheiser

Supporting doctoral researchers with synthesis, laboratory safety and organisation.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
Contact
hkartheiser@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Hannelore Pohl

Laboratory Technician

Hannelore Pohl

Laboratory safety and device maintenance.

Office
OHP4 · R 221
Lab
Contact
hpohl@oc.uni-kiel.de
Phone
+49 431 880-3697
Paul, the Staubitz Group mascot

Group Mascot · Emotional Support

Paul

Supporting the group with good company, excellent morale and well-timed breaks.

Join the group

Curious minds welcome.

The next idea could be yours.

We welcome motivated students and researchers interested in synthesis, photochemistry and functional materials.

Send an enquiry ↗

People who shaped
the group.

Bachelor's and master's thesis students, listed chronologically by the start of their time in the group.

01

Hinrich Reller

MA · Supervisor:
06.2024 – 02.2025

02

Lukas Geese

BA · Supervisor: CE
07.2024 – 09.2024

03

Hannes Voß

BA · Supervisor: CE
09.2024 – 01.2025

04

Henrik Paul

BA · Supervisor: CE
09.2024 – 01.2025

05

Beshr Madaraty

MA · Supervisor: CE
11.2024 – 05.2025

06

Thuy Chinh Ta

MA · Supervisor: THK
04.2025 – 10.2025

07

Briga Klopp

BA · Supervisor: CE
05.2025 – 09.2025

08

Tobias Sieve

MA · Supervisor: CE
05.2025 – 11.2025

09

Dennis Kerber

BA · Supervisor: THK
07.2025 – 11.2025

10

Christopher Freytag

BA · Supervisor: HKR
07.2025 – 11.2025

11

Hacer Burak

BA · Supervisor: CE
08.2025 – 12.2025

12

Sandro Paap

BA · Supervisor: CE
08.2025 – 11.2025

13

Leon Bartelt

BA · Supervisor: JL
09.2025 – 12.2025

14

Jannis-Laurin Kuntsch

BA · Supervisor: HKR
10.2025

15

Jenny Gröger

BA · Supervisor: HKR
11.2025

16

Briga Klopp

BA · Supervisor: JL
12.2025 – 03.2026

17

Malin Kaak

MA · Supervisor: CE
12.2025 – 06.2026

18

Dennis Lindstedt

BA · Supervisor: HKR
05.2026 – 08.2026

From Molecular Design to Material Impact

From a molecular event to a material-scale function: we design every level of the system.

01Molecular switches

Azobenzene-based molecular switches

We design and synthesise azobenzene photoswitches with exceptionally long thermal half-lives by combining macrocyclic architectures with strategic fluorination, while precisely controlling geometry and light-driven switching behaviour.

Azobenzene molecular-switch crystals with molecular structure overlay
02Responsive materials

Switchable polymer films and hydrogels

We translate molecular switching into macroscopic function in photobendable polymer films, responsive hydrogels and other light-controlled soft materials.

Polarized optical microscopy image of an azobenzene-based polymer material with molecular structures
03Circularly polarized luminescence

BN-PAH materials for CPL

We design chiral boron- and nitrogen-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with intense circularly polarized luminescence, combining rigid helicene architectures with high fluorescence efficiency and enhanced CPL brightness.

Boron–nitrogen helicenes illustrating enhanced circularly polarized luminescence brightness
04OLED · TADF

BN-PAH OLED emitters

Our current research focuses on boron- and nitrogen-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as TADF materials for efficient OLED emitters, with precisely tuned excited states and thermally activated delayed fluorescence.

BN-PAH TADF emitter structures and their multicolour luminescence
05Cross-coupling · Catalysis

Selective synthesis

We develop selective cross-coupling strategies and heterogeneous catalytic methods for the controlled preparation of complex functional molecules and materials.

06Main-group chemistry · Optoelectronics

Tin heterocycles

We investigate tin-containing heterocycles such as stannoles and how their incorporation into conjugated systems changes optical, electronic and electrochemical properties. Replacing thiophene units with stannoles can red-shift absorption and emission, lower optical band gaps and open routes towards functional low-band-gap materials.

Temperature-dependent emission spectra, glowing crystals and molecular structure of a tin-containing heterocycle

Science grows through collaboration.

Our research is enabled by funding partners and strengthened through collaborations across chemistry, materials science and neighbouring disciplines.

Complete
publication list

View original archive ↗
2026

Bistable Dual‐Responsive Azobenzene‐co‐PNIPAM Soft Microactuators via Two‐Photon Direct Laser Writing

C. Barwig, R. Colaco, A. Koch, S. Geiger, E. R. Curticean, I. Wacker, Z. Wang, M. Schmidt, A. Sonn, S. Pashapour, F. Taheri, R. R. Schröder, A. Staubitz and C. Selhuber-Unkel, Advanced Intelligent Systems 2026, 8, 2500890.

2026

Transition-metal-free approaches to poly(aminoboranes) and poly(phosphinoboranes): mechanisms, advances, and future directions

M. A. Wiebe and A. Staubitz, Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers 2026, 13, 1310-1323.

2026

Azobenzene-Based Photomechanical Materials for Soft Robotics: A Focus on Visible Light-Activated Liquid Crystal Networks

T. Klüwer, S. Schultzke and A. Staubitz, in Soft Material Robotic Systems, Springer, Cham, 2026, 17-29.

2025

Superswelling, Supershrinking, and a Broadened Phase Transition─Amphiphilic Thermosensitivity in Sulfonate-Functionalized Azobenzene-co-NIPAAm Hydrogels and Polymers

R. Colaco, N. Wolf, P. Hepke, R. Renken and A. Staubitz, ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2025, 7, 13896-13906.

2025

Dehydrocoupling of Phosphine-Borane Adducts Under Ambient Conditions Using Aminoboranes as Hydrogen Acceptors

M.A. Wiebe, A. Staubitz and I. Manners, Chemistry - A European Journal 2025 , 31, e202403849.

2025

BH3·SMe2 addition enables molar mass control via chain stabilization in phosphine-borane dehydropolymerization

M.A. Wiebe, J.E.T. Watson, C. Killeen, J.S. McIndoe, A. Staubitz and I. Manners, Polymer Chemistry 2025 , 16, 1305-1312.

2024

Centennial Isomers: A Unique Fluorinated Azobenzene Macrocyclus with Dual Stability Over 120 Years

S. Schultzke, P. Puylaert, H. Wang, I. Schultzke, J. Gerken and A. Staubitz, Advanced Functional Materials 2024 , 34, 2313268.

2024

Boosting quantum yields and circularly polarized luminescence of penta- and hexahelicenes by doping with two BN-groups

Y. Appiarius, S. Míguez-Lago, P. Puylaert, N. Wolf, S. Kumar, M. Molkenthin, D. Miguel, T. Neudecker, M. Juríček, A. G. Campaña and A. Staubitz, Chemical Science 2024, 15, 466-476.

2023

Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(9-mesityl-9,10-dihydro-10-aza-9-borabenzo[h]quinolinato-κ2 N 1,N 10)zinc(II)

Y. Appiarius, P. Puylaert and A. Staubitz, Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications 2023 , 79, 1063-1066.

2023

Complexation of Boron and Aluminum with a Bidentate Hydroxy-BN-naphthalene Ligand

Y. Appiarius, P. Puylaert, J. Werthschütz, T. Neudecker and A. Staubitz, Inorganics 2023 , 11, 295.

2023

Controlling the LCST-Phase Transition in Azobenzene-Functionalized Poly (N-Isopropylacrlyamide) Hydrogels by Light

R. Colaco, C. Appiah and A. Staubitz, Gels 2023 , 9, 75.

2023

ortho-Functionalization of azobenzenesviahypervalent iodine reagents

E.M. Di Tommaso, M. Walther, A. Staubitz and B. Olofsson, Chemical Communications 2023 , 59, 5047-5050.

2023

Synthesis and crystal structure of 2-(anthracen-9-yl)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3,6-dihydro-1λ4,2λ4-azaborinine

P.J. Gliese, Y. Appiarius, T. Scheele, E. Lork, T. Neudecker and A. Staubitz, Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications 2023 , 79, 1012-1016.

2023

Facile Synthesis of Light-Switchable Polymers with Diazocine Units in the Main Chain

S. Li, K. Bamberg, Y. Lu, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Polymers 2023 , 15, 1306.

2023

A Photomechanical Film in which Liquid Crystal Design Shifts the Absorption into the Visible Light Range

S. Schultzke, N. Scheuring, P. Puylaert, M. Lehmann and A. Staubitz, Advanced Science 2023 , 10, 2302692.

2023

Stille vs. Suzuki – cross-coupling for the functionalization of diazocines

M. Walther, W. Kipke, R. Renken and A. Staubitz, RSC Advances 2023 , 13, 15805-15809.

2023

Nanoporous Gold: From Structure Evolution to Functional Properties in Catalysis and Electrochemistry

G. Wittstock, M. Bäumer, W. Dononelli, T. Klüner, L. Lührs, C. Mahr, L.V. Moskaleva, M. Oezaslan, T. Risse, A. Rosenauer, A. Staubitz, J. Weissmüller and A. Wittstock, Chemical Reviews 2023 , 123, 6716-6792.

2022

BN-Substitution in Dithienylpyrenes Prevents Excimer Formation in Solution and in the Solid State

Y. Appiarius, P.J. Gliese, S.A.W. Segler, P. Rusch, J. Zhang, P.J. Gates, R. Pal, L.A. Malaspina, K. Sugimoto, T. Neudecker, N.C. Bigall, S. Grabowsky, A.A. Bakulin and A. Staubitz, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2022 , 126, 4563-4576.

2022

Azaborinine: Hybride aus Benzol und Borazin

Y. Appiarius and A. Staubitz, Chemie in unserer Zeit 2022 , 57, 180-190.

2022

Synthesis of a Series of 12-Membered Azobenzene Macrocycles and Tuning of the Half-Life of the Thermal Z–E Isomerization

S. Ghosh, C. Eschen, N. Eleya and A. Staubitz, The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2022 , 88, 3372-3377.

2022

ARGET ATRP of Methyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate with Diazocine-Derived Initiators

S. Li, R. Colaco and A. Staubitz, ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2022 , 4, 6825-6833.

2022

A Co-Polymerizable Linker for the Covalent Attachment of Fibronectin Makes pHEMA Hydrogels Cell-Adhesive

L. Schumacher, K. Siemsen, C. Appiah, S. Rajput, A. Heitmann, C. Selhuber-Unkel and A. Staubitz, Gels 2022 , 8, 258.

2022

A Nanoporous Gold Sponge as a Catalyst

J. Thayssen and A. Staubitz, Chemie in unserer Zeit 2022, 56, 92-101.

2021

From a 1,2-azaborinine to largeBN-PAHsviaelectrophilic cyclization: synthesis, characterization and promising optical properties

Y. Appiarius, T. Stauch, E. Lork, P. Rusch, N.C. Bigall and A. Staubitz, Organic Chemistry Frontiers 2021 , 8, 10-17.

2021

A new photo switchable azobenzene macrocycle without thermal relaxation at ambient temperature

N. Eleya, S. Ghosh, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2021 , 9, 82-87.

2021

The bis(Biphenyl)phosphorus Fragment in Trivalent and Tetravalent P-Environments

J. Hoffmann, D. Duvinage, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Inorganics 2021 , 9, 82.

2021

Tuning the aggregation behaviour of BN-coronene diimides with imide substituents and their performance in devices (OLEDs and OFETs)

J. Hoffmann, B. Geffroy, E. Jaques, M. Hissler and A. Staubitz, Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2021 , 9, 14720-14729.

2021

BN-Substituted coronene diimide donor–acceptor–donor triads: photophysical, (spectro)-electrochemical studies and Lewis behavior

J. Hoffmann, D. Jacquemin, M. Hissler and A. Staubitz, Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2021 , 9, 13926-13934.

2021

The influence of the formal replacement of thiophenes by stannoles in terthiophene and sexithiophene on the optoelectronic properties and electrochemical behavior

J. Hoffmann, I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, M. Hissler and A. Staubitz, Dalton Transactions 2021 , 50, 6213-6221.

2021

π-Conjugated stannole copolymers synthesised by a tin-selective Stille cross-coupling reaction

I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, M. Rohdenburg, P. Rusch, D. Duvinage, N.C. Bigall and A. Staubitz, Materials Advances 2021 , 2, 3282-3293.

2021

Active Ester Functionalized Azobenzenes as Versatile Building Blocks

S. Schultzke, M. Walther and A. Staubitz, Molecules 2021 , 26, 3916.

2021

Modification of Azobenzenes by Cross-Coupling Reactions

A. Staubitz, M. Walther, W. Kipke, S. Schultzke and S. Ghosh, Synthesis 2021 , 53, 1213-1228.

2021

Ein nanoporöser Goldschwamm als Katalysator: Nanomaterialien

J. Thayssen and A. Staubitz, Chemie in unserer Zeit 2021 , 56, 92-101.

2020

Mechanochromic Microfibers Stabilized by Polymer Blending

R. Colaco, S. Shree, L. Siebert, C. Appiah, M. Dowds, S. Schultzke, R. Adelung and A. Staubitz, ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2020 , 2, 2055-2062.

2020

Efficient reversible photoisomerisation with large solvodynamic size-switching of a main chain poly(azobenzene-alt-trisiloxane)

M. Dowds, D. Bank, J. Strueben, D.P. Soto, F.D. Sönnichsen, F. Renth, F. Temps and A. Staubitz, Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2020 , 8, 1835-1845.

2020

Synthesis and Thermal Investigations of Eleven-Membered Ring Systems Containing One of the Heavier Group 14 Element Atoms Si, Ge, and Sn

N. Eleya, C. Appiah, E. Lork, M. Gogolin, T.M. Gesing, T. Stauch and A. Staubitz, Molecules 2020 , 25, 283.

2020

Sila-Ibuprofen

F. Kleemiss, A. Justies, D. Duvinage, P. Watermann, E. Ehrke, K. Sugimoto, M. Fugel, L.A. Malaspina, A. Dittmer, T. Kleemiss, P. Puylaert, N.R. King, A. Staubitz, T.M. Tzschentke, R. Dringen, S. Grabowsky and J. Beckmann, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2020 , 63, 12614-12622.

2020

Cross-Coupling Strategy for the Synthesis of Diazocines

S. Li, N. Eleya and A. Staubitz, Organic Letters 2020 , 22, 1624-1627.

2020

5.2.30 Product Subclass 30: Stannoles

I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, W. Kipke, J. Makow and A. Staubitz, In Knowledge Updates 2020/2. 2020 31.

2020

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of a Spirostannole and Formation of a Pentaorganostannate

I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, M. Rohdenburg, W. Kipke, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Molecules 2020 , 25, 4993.

2020

Aggregation induced emission – emissive stannoles in the solid state

I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, M. Rohdenburg, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Chemical Communications 2020 , 56, 9775-9778.

2020

Biohybrid hydrogel system having actuator cells

C. Selhuber-Unkel and A. Staubitz, 2020 .

2020

Self-reporting mechanochromic coating: a glassfiber reinforced polymer composite that predicts impact induced damage

S. Shree, M. Dowds, A. Kuntze, Y.K. Mishra, A. Staubitz and R. Adelung, Materials Horizons 2020 , 7, 598-604.

2019

Living Materials Herald a New Era in Soft Robotics

C. Appiah, C. Arndt, K. Siemsen, A. Heitmann, A. Staubitz and C. Selhuber‐Unkel, Advanced Materials 2019 , 31, 1807747.

2019

Synthesis and crystal structure of (E)-1,2-bis[2-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]diazene

J. Hoffmann, T.J. Kuczmera, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications 2019 , 75, 1808-1811.

2019

Synthesis, Structure, Thermal Behavior and cis/trans Isomerization of 2,2′-(EMe3)2 (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn) Substituted Azobenzenes

J. Hoffmann, T.J. Kuczmera, E. Lork and A. Staubitz, Molecules 2019 , 24, 303.

2019

Thermochromic Behavior of Yttrium-Substituted Bismuth Oxides

X. Liu, A. Staubitz and T.M. Gesing, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2019 , 11, 33147-33156.

2019

Group 13-group 15 element bonds replacing carbon-carbon bonds in main group polyolefin analogs

A. Staubitz, J. Hoffmann and P. Gliese, In Smart Inorganic Polymers. 2019 19-39.

2019

Cover Feature: Negishi’s Reagent Versus Rosenthal’s Reagent in the Formation of Zirconacyclopentadienes (Chem. Eur. J. 58/2019)

S. Urrego‐Riveros, I. Ramirez y Medina, D. Duvinage, E. Lork, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Chemistry – A European Journal 2019 , 25, 13225-13225.

2019

Negishi’s Reagent Versus Rosenthal’s Reagent in the Formation of Zirconacyclopentadienes

S. Urrego‐Riveros, I. Ramirez y Medina, D. Duvinage, E. Lork, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Chemistry – A European Journal 2019 , 25, 13318-13328.

2019

Conjugated oligomers with alternating heterocycles from a single monomer: synthesis and demonstration of electroluminescence

S. Urrego-Riveros, M. Bremer, J. Hoffmann, A. Heitmann, T. Reynaldo, J. Buhl, P. J. Gates, F. D. Sönnichsen, M. Hissler, M. Gerken and A. Staubitz, Organic Chemistry Frontiers 2019, 6, 3636-3643.

2018

Tuning the Optoelectronic Properties of Stannoles by the Judicious Choice of the Organic Substituents

I.-M. Ramirez y Medina, M. Rohdenburg, F. Mostaghimi, S. Grabowsky, P. Swiderek, J. Beckmann, J. Hoffmann, V. Dorcet, M. Hissler and A. Staubitz, Inorganic Chemistry 2018 , 57, 12562-12575.

2018

Generation of High‐Molecular‐Weight Polymers with Diverse Substituents: An Unusual Metal‐Free Synthesis of Poly(aminoborane)s

A. Staubitz, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2018 , 57, 5990-5992.

2018

Syntheses and Properties of Tin‐Containing Conjugated Heterocycles

S. Urrego‐Riveros, I. Ramirez y Medina, J. Hoffmann, A. Heitmann and A. Staubitz, Chemistry – A European Journal 2018 , 24, 5680-5696.

2017

Wie Licht Klebrigkeit steuert

E. Kizilkan, A. Staubitz and S.N. Gorb, Nachrichten aus der Chemie 2017 , 65, 1194-1196.

2017

Bioinspired photocontrollable microstructured transport device

E. Kizilkan, J. Strueben, A. Staubitz and S.N. Gorb, Science Robotics 2017 , 2, eaak9454.

2017

Diversely halogenated spiropyrans - Useful synthetic building blocks for a versatile class of molecular switches

M. Schulz-Senft, P.J. Gates, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Dyes and Pigments 2017 , 136, 292-301.

2017

Light, Force, and Heat: A Multi-Stimuli Composite that Reveals its Violent Past

S. Shree, M. Schulz-Senft, N.H. Alsleben, Y.K. Mishra, A. Staubitz and R. Adelung, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017 , 9, 38000-38007.

2017

High molecular weight poly(N-methyl-B-vinylazaborine) – a semi-inorganic B–N polystyrene analogue

B. Thiedemann, P.J. Gliese, J. Hoffmann, P.G. Lawrence, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Chemical Communications 2017 , 53, 7258-7261.

2016

Influence of the porosity on the photoresponse of a liquid crystal elastomer

E. Kizilkan, J. Strueben, X. Jin, C.F. Schaber, R. Adelung, A. Staubitz and S.N. Gorb, Royal Society Open Science 2016 , 3, 150700.

2016

Crystal structures of 3,3′-bis(hydroxydimethylsilanyl)azobenzene and 4,4′-bis(hydroxydimethylsilane)azobenzene

J. Strüben, J. Hoffmann, D. Presa-Soto, C. Näther and A. Staubitz, Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications 2016 , 72, 1590-1594.

2015

Nucleophile‐Selective Cross‐Coupling Reactions with Vinyl and Alkynyl Bromides on a Dinucleophilic Aromatic Substrate

L. He, M. Schulz‐Senft, B. Thiedemann, J. Linshoeft, P.J. Gates and A. Staubitz, European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2015 , 2015, 2498-2502.

2015

Synthesis of poly(thiophene-alt-pyrrole) from a difunctionalized thienylpyrrole by Kumada polycondensation

L.-Y. He, S. Urrego-Riveros, P.J. Gates, C. Näther, M. Brinkmann, V. Abetz and A. Staubitz, Tetrahedron 2015 , 71, 5399-5406.

2015

Nucleophile selective cross-coupling reactions on aromatic rings: A new tool in the synthetic chemist's Tool box

A. Staubitz, J. Linshoeft and A.C.J. Heinrich, G.I.T. Laboratory Journal, Europe 2015 , 19, 14-16.

2015

High‐Yield Lithiation of Azobenzenes by Tin–Lithium Exchange

J. Strueben, M. Lipfert, J. Springer, C.A. Gould, P.J. Gates, F.D. Sönnichsen and A. Staubitz, Chemistry – A European Journal 2015 , 21, 11165-11173.

2014

Challenges and Solutions for Joining Polymer Materials

X. Jin, L. Heepe, J. Strueben, R. Adelung, S.N. Gorb and A. Staubitz, Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2014 , 35, 1551-1570.

2014

Highly Tin‐Selective Stille Coupling: Synthesis of a Polymer Containing a Stannole in the Main Chain

J. Linshoeft, E.J. Baum, A. Hussain, P.J. Gates, C. Näther and A. Staubitz, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2014 , 53, 12916-12920.

2014

Crystal structure of 1,3-bis(4-hexyl-5-iodothiophen-2-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-benzothiophene

J. Linshoeft, C. Näther and A. Staubitz, Acta Crystallographica Section E Structure Reports Online 2014 , 70, o1133-o1134.

2014

Mechanopolymerchemie: Molekulare Wirkung durch Kraft

M. Schulz‐Senft, M. Lipfert and A. Staubitz, Chemie in unserer Zeit 2014 , 48, 200-214.

2014

Tin-Functionalized Azobenzenes as Nucleophiles in Stille Cross-Coupling Reactions

J. Strueben, P.J. Gates and A. Staubitz, The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2014 , 79, 1719-1728.

2014

Reduction of N-Allylamides by LiAlH4: Unexpected Attack of the Double Bond with Mechanistic Studies of Product and Byproduct Formation

B. Thiedemann, C.M.L. Schmitz and A. Staubitz, The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2014 , 79, 10284-10295.

2013

Dual Selectivity: Electrophile and Nucleophile Selective Cross-Coupling Reactions on a Single Aromatic Substrate

A.C.J. Heinrich, B. Thiedemann, P.J. Gates and A. Staubitz, Organic Letters 2013 , 15, 4666-4669.

2012

A Cooperative Role for the Counteranion in the PCl5-Initiated Living, Cationic Chain Growth Polycondensation of the Phosphoranimine Cl3P═NSiMe3

V. Blackstone, S. Pfirrmann, H. Helten, A. Staubitz, A. Presa Soto, G.R. Whittell and I. Manners, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012 , 134, 15293-15296.

2012

“Spontaneous” Ambient Temperature Dehydrocoupling of Aromatic Amine–Boranes

H. Helten, A.P.M. Robertson, A. Staubitz, J.R. Vance, M.F. Haddow and I. Manners, Chemistry – A European Journal 2012 , 18, 4665-4680.

2012

Joining the Un‐Joinable: Adhesion Between Low Surface Energy Polymers Using Tetrapodal ZnO Linkers

X. Jin, J. Strueben, L. Heepe, A. Kovalev, Y.K. Mishra, R. Adelung, S.N. Gorb and A. Staubitz, Advanced Materials 2012 , 24, 5676-5680.

2012

Chemoselective Cross-Coupling Reactions with Differentiation between Two Nucleophilic Sites on a Single Aromatic Substrate

J. Linshoeft, A.C.J. Heinrich, S.A.W. Segler, P.J. Gates and A. Staubitz, Organic Letters 2012 , 14, 5644-5647.

2012

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Living Polymerization of N-Silylphosphoranimines. Synthesis of New Block Copolyphosphazenes

S. Suárez Suárez, D. Presa Soto, G.A. Carriedo, A. Presa Soto and A. Staubitz, Organometallics 2012 , 31, 2571-2581.

2011

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Potential Interconversion of the Amine–Borane iPr2NH·BH(C6F5)2 and the Aminoborane iPr2N=B(C6F5)2 Involving Hydrogen Loss and Uptake

A.P.M. Robertson, G.R. Whittell, A. Staubitz, K. Lee, A.J. Lough and I. Manners, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2011 , 2011, 5279-5287.

2010

Ring-Opening Polymerization of a Galla[1]ferrocenophane: A Gallium-Bridged Polyferrocene with Observable Tacticity

B. Bagh, J.B. Gilroy, A. Staubitz and J. Müller, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 , 132, 1794-1795.

2010

Strain-Induced Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon Bonds: Bridge Rupture Reactions of Group 8 Dicarba[2]metallocenophanes

D.E. Herbert, J.B. Gilroy, A. Staubitz, M.F. Haddow, J.N. Harvey and I. Manners, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 , 132, 1988-1998.

2010

Homogeneous Catalytic Dehydrocoupling/Dehydrogenation of Amine−Borane Adducts by Early Transition Metal, Group 4 Metallocene Complexes

M.E. Sloan, A. Staubitz, T.J. Clark, C.A. Russell, G.C. Lloyd-Jones and I. Manners, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 , 132, published online.

2010

Scope and Selectivity of Heterogeneous Rh0‐Catalyzed Tandem Dehydrocoupling/Hydrogenation Using Me2NH·BH3 as a Stoichiometric H2 Source

M.E. Sloan, A. Staubitz, K. Lee and I. Manners, European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2010 , 2011, 672-675.

2010

Ammonia-Borane and Related Compounds as Dihydrogen Sources

A. Staubitz, A.P.M. Robertson and I. Manners, Chemical Reviews 2010 , 110, 4079-4124.

2010

Amine− and Phosphine−Borane Adducts: New Interest in Old Molecules

A. Staubitz, A.P.M. Robertson, M.E. Sloan and I. Manners, Chemical Reviews 2010 , 110, 4023-4078.

2010

Catalytic Dehydrocoupling/Dehydrogenation ofN-Methylamine-Borane and Ammonia-Borane: Synthesis and Characterization of High Molecular Weight Polyaminoboranes

A. Staubitz, M.E. Sloan, A.P.M. Robertson, A. Friedrich, S. Schneider, P.J. Gates, J. Schmedt auf der Günne and I. Manners, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2010 , 132, 13332-13345.

2009

B-N compounds for chemical hydrogen storage

C.W. Hamilton, R.T. Baker, A. Staubitz and I. Manners, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2009 , 38, 279-293.

2009

Redox-Active Metallomacrocycles and Cyclic Metallopolymers: Photocontrolled Ring-Opening Oligomerization and Polymerization of Silicon-Bridged [1]Ferrocenophanes Using Substitutionally-Labile Lewis Bases as Initiators

D.E. Herbert, J.B. Gilroy, W.Y. Chan, L. Chabanne, A. Staubitz, A.J. Lough and I. Manners, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009 , 131, 14958-14968.

2008

Computational Analysis of Amine-Borane Adducts as Potential Hydrogen Storage Materials with Reversible Hydrogen Uptake

A. Staubitz, M. Besora, J.N. Harvey and I. Manners, Inorg. Chem. 2008 , 47, 5910-5918.

2008

Iridium-catalyzed dehydrocoupling of primary amine-borane adducts: a route to high molecular weight polyaminoboranes, boron-nitrogen analogues of polyolefins

A. Staubitz, A. Presa Soto and I. Manners, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2008 , 47, 6212-6215.

2006

Optimization of the Mizoroki-Heck Reaction Using Design of Experiment (DoE)

V.K. Aggarwal, A. Staubitz and M. Owen, Org. Proc. Res. Dev. 2006 , 10, 64-69.

2003

Mild synthesis of polyfunctional benzimidazoles and indoles by the reduction of functionalized nitroarenes with phenylmagnesium chloride

W. Dohle, A. Staubitz and P. Knochel, Chem. Eur. J. 2003 , 9, 5323-5331.

2003

Expeditious functionalization of quinolines in positions 2 and 8 via polyfunctional aryl- and heteroarylmagnesium intermediates

A. Staubitz, W. Dohle and P. Knochel, Synthesis 2003 233-242.

Find us in Kiel

Ideas from
northern Germany.

Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry
Kiel University
Otto-Hahn-Platz 4
24118 Kiel · Germany

Research environment

SAM · PuriFlash 4250
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
01Column machine · HPLC

SAM · PuriFlash 4250

High-pressure flash chromatography and preparative HPLC system by Advion Interchim.

  • Flash chromatography and preparative HPLC capability
  • 5 µm reversed-phase C18 HPLC column
  • 10 µm normal-phase HPLC column
  • Flow rate up to 250 mL/min
  • Maximum pressure: 250 bar
  • Gradient and isocratic separation
  • Two column holders for flash and prep LC columns
  • Dry load and high-volume liquid load
  • DAD dual-wavelength UV detection: 200–600 nm
  • Four racks
BILBO · PuriFlash 430
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
02Column machine

BILBO · PuriFlash 430

Automated flash chromatography system by Advion Interchim.

  • Flow rate up to 200 mL/min
  • Maximum pressure: 30 bar
  • Gradient and isocratic separation
  • Dry load and high-volume liquid load
  • DAD dual-wavelength UV detection: 200–600 nm
  • Four racks
FRODO · PuriFlash XS520Plus
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
03Column machine

FRODO · PuriFlash XS520Plus

Compact high-flow flash chromatography system by Advion Interchim.

  • Flow rate up to 300 mL/min
  • Maximum pressure: 20 bar
  • Gradient and isocratic separation
  • Dry load and high-volume liquid load
  • DAD dual-wavelength UV detection: 200–800 nm
  • Two racks
Rotavap Stations
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
04Synthesis · Solvent removal

Rotavap Stations

Four rotary evaporator stations for efficient solvent removal and concentration of reaction mixtures.

  • Four Rotavap stations
  • Four Julabo chillers with recirculating water/ethylene glycol coolant
  • Several membrane pumps from Welch, Ilmvac and Büchi
Karl Fischer Titration
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
05Analytical chemistry

Karl Fischer Titration

Instrumental water-content determination for the accurate analysis of trace and bulk moisture in samples, solvents and reaction materials.

Microfluidics System
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
06Microfluidics

Microfluidics System

Microfluidic platform for precisely controlled fluid handling, mixing and reaction studies in small-volume channels.

Molecular Modelling Server
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
07Computational chemistry

Molecular Modelling Server

Dedicated computational infrastructure for DFT calculations supporting the design and interpretation of molecular switches and functional emitters.

  • Density functional theory calculations
  • Gaussian installed
  • ORCA installed
  • Access to the CAU high-performance computing cluster
  • Access to the NESH system
UV–Vis Spectrometer · Cary 3500 Multicell
photo © Henrike Kartheiser
08Spectroscopy

UV–Vis Spectrometer · Cary 3500 Multicell

Agilent Technologies Cary 3500 Multicell UV–Vis spectrophotometer for simultaneous absorption measurements, photoswitching studies, kinetics and temperature-dependent optical characterization.

  • Simultaneous data collection from eight cuvette positions
  • Up to four independently controlled sample temperatures in one experiment
  • Integrated air-cooled Peltier temperature control from −5 to 110 °C
  • UV–Vis thermal ramps at up to 40 °C min⁻¹
  • Solid-state digital Cary probes measure and control temperature inside each cuvette
  • Highly collimated, uniform beam narrower than 1.5 mm for accurate small-volume measurements
  • Stationary cell holders with permanent optical alignment
Cyclic Voltammetry · Metrohm Autolab PGSTAT204
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
09Electrochemistry

Cyclic Voltammetry · Metrohm Autolab PGSTAT204

Cyclic voltammetry reveals oxidation and reduction potentials, electrochemical reversibility and redox stability, helping us understand the electronic properties of molecular switches and emitter materials.

  • Compact PGSTAT204 potentiostat/galvanostat
  • Maximum current: ±400 mA; compliance voltage: ±20 V
  • Operation in 2-, 3- and 4-electrode configurations
  • Gas-tight TSC 1600 closed cell with glassy-carbon electrode
  • Ag pseudo-micro reference electrode for the gas-tight cell
  • Classical cell with Ag/AgCl reference, platinum-sheet counter electrode and interchangeable 2 mm glassy-carbon working electrode
  • Control and data evaluation with NOVA software
  • External-device triggering for in-situ spectroelectrochemistry
Advion expression CMS
photo © Henrike Kartheiser
10Mass spectrometry

Advion expression CMS

Compact single-quadrupole mass spectrometer for rapid compound identification and reaction monitoring directly in the laboratory.

  • ASAP atmospheric solids analysis probe for direct analysis of solids and liquids
  • Electrospray ionization (ESI) source
  • Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source
  • Rapid switching between ionization and sample-introduction techniques
  • Suitable for reaction monitoring and fast compound identification
Producer details ↗
Fluorescence Spectrometer
photo © Henrike Kartheiser
11Spectroscopy

Fluorescence Spectrometer

PicoQuant Fluotime 300 photoluminescence spectrometer for steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements (TCSPC).

  • Czerny–Turner monochromators
  • Modular integrating sphere for absolute quantum-yield measurements
  • 375 nm, 40 MHz pulsed picosecond laser diode
  • 300 W xenon lamp for wavelength-selective excitation
  • Oxford Instruments liquid-nitrogen cryostat
  • Sample holders for solutions, films and powders
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
photo © Henrike Kartheiser
12Thermoanalytics

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Mettler Toledo TGA 3+ system for investigating thermal stability, decomposition and mass-loss processes.

  • Measurement range: 22–1600 °C
  • Heating rate: 2–250 K/min
  • Cooling rate: 0.02–50 K/min
  • Nitrogen flow: 20 mL min⁻¹
  • Data analysis with STARe software
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
photo © Henrike Kartheiser
13Thermoanalytics

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Standalone Mettler Toledo DSC 3+ STARe system for phase transitions, glass transitions, melting and thermal response.

  • Thermal scans from −150 to 700 °C
  • Heating and cooling rate: 0.02–50 K/min
  • Data analysis with STARe software
Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM)
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
14Microscopy

Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM)

Polarized optical microscopy (POM) uses crossed polarizers to reveal birefringence, textures, phase transitions and molecular ordering that are not visible in ordinary bright-field microscopy.

  • Olympus BH-2 POM with trinocular head for simultaneous observation and image capture
  • Panasonic camera with MTV-3 C-mount adapter and Philips live monitor
  • Instec J035 heating stage with adjustable target temperature and heating rate
  • 10× eyepieces with 4×, 10×, 20× and 40× objectives
  • Total magnifications: 40×, 100×, 200× and 400×
LED Irradiation Systems
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
15Photochemistry

LED Irradiation Systems

Thorlabs upLED sources for wavelength-selective irradiation of samples in quartz cuvettes or NMR tubes, enabling photostationary-state and photoswitching studies.

  • M365L3: 365 nm
  • M415L4: 415 nm · 170 mW cm⁻²
  • M455L4: 455 nm · 177 mW cm⁻²
  • M530L4: 530 nm · 164 mW cm⁻²
  • M590L4: 590 nm · 144 mW cm⁻²
  • MWWHL4 white LED: 400–800 nm · 166 mW cm⁻²
  • upLEDs operated at 1000 mA
  • Thorlabs LCL1582-M plano-concave lens (f = −75 mm) for focusing and collimation
  • Typical LED-to-sample distance: 3 cm; cuvette experiments performed with stirring
Glovebox
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
16Controlled atmosphere

Glovebox

Nitrogen-filled Inert PureLab HE dual glovebox for handling and synthesis of air- and moisture-sensitive compounds.

  • Manufacturer: Inert, Amesbury, MA, USA
  • Dual-glovebox configuration
  • −30 °C freezer
  • Large and small antechambers
  • O₂ and H₂O levels below 1 ppm
Ossila Spin Coater
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
17Film preparation

Ossila Spin Coater

Programmable, vacuum-free spin coating for reproducible preparation of uniform thin polymer and molecular-material films.

  • Vacuum-free chuck design for flat, damage-free substrates
  • Multi-substrate chuck: 20 × 15, 25 × 25, 50 × 50 and 75 × 25 mm
  • 10 user profiles with programmable multi-step coating recipes
  • Up to 50 steps per program; custom chucks support substrates up to 100 mm diameter
Producer details ↗
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
© Christoph Eschen, CAU zu Kiel
18Polymer analysis

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)

KNAUER AZURA SEC Lab system for determining polymer molar-mass distributions and dispersity by gel permeation and size-exclusion chromatography.

  • Injection volume: 1–1000 µL
  • High flow precision with ultra-low pulsation
  • Detector options: RI, UV, ELSD, PDA, FLD and MS
  • Hardware configurations for organic GPC of polymers or aqueous SEC of biomolecules
Producer details ↗