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Cooperative Effects in Chemistry-Collaborative Research Center SFB 858 in Münster

2017; Wiley; Volume: 23; Issue: 25 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/chem.201700451

1521-3765

L. Tebben, Armido Studer,

History and advancements in chemistry

Cooperative effects are found in various research areas in chemistry, many of which are currently explored within the Collaborative Research Center SFB 858 in Münster. This Editorial gives some insights into the field and an overview of the history of the Center and those who have contributed to the development of this fascinating multidisciplinary research area. Chemists are well aware of the term “cooperativity” describing the modulation of the binding affinity of molecular oxygen to hemoglobin. Moreover, it is well established that enzyme catalysis occurs by cooperative interaction of different functional moieties within the active site of the biocatalyst. Guided and stimulated by nature's principles, chemists have been focusing on the mutual interaction of discrete functional entities in various systems for a long time and this has led to the emerging research field of exploring cooperative effects in chemistry and in neighboring disciplines. The question arises: Is it possible to interpret cooperativity across the borders more generally? Within this special issue of Chemistry—A European Journal published in collaboration with the collaborative research center (Sonderforschungsbereich, SFB) SFB 858, the Concept Article “From Additivity to Cooperativity in Chemistry—Can Cooperativity Be Measured?” discusses potential strategies in this context. More than 20 research groups from chemistry and physics have been working in close collaboration for more than seven years within the frame of the SFB 858 “Synergistic Effects in Chemistry—From Additivity towards Cooperativity” at the University of Münster on the exploration of cooperative effects in various areas of chemistry. The SFB 858 is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and aims at understanding mechanisms in known cooperative systems, uncovering new and unexplored cooperative effects, developing novel reactivity and synthetic strategies, and identifying unifying principles in cooperativity between neighboring disciplines (Figure 1). Cooperative effects can be found in various research areas in chemistry that are currently explored within the SFB 858. In catalysis and in the chemistry of so-called frustrated Lewis acid/base pairs (FLPs) cooperative activation modes have been investigated over the past few years. In bi- and multimetallic systems the interaction of metals in organometallic compounds has been studied using novel ligand structures including unconventional ligands such as DNA. Supramolecular aggregation and the assembly of molecules at noble metal surfaces can be steered by cooperative effects. The SFB has also been interested in understanding how metal atoms at surfaces and nanoparticles are affected by their neighboring atoms and how such synergism influences surface reactivity. A Review in this special issue entitled “Covalent-Bond Formation via On-Surface Chemistry” addresses this emerging research area. Emblem of the SFB 858 “Synergistic Effects in Chemistry—From Additivity towards Cooperativity”, symbolizing three entities with their mutual influence and interaction. Cooperative effects are instrumental in organic multispin systems leading to interesting magnetic properties that result from intermolecular exchange interactions of the individual spins. Within the SFB 858, analytical methods have been developed to characterize the structural organization of such complex systems, as discussed in more detail in a Review in this special issue entitled “Advanced Magnetic Resonance Techniques for the Structural Characterization of Aminoxyl Radicals and Their Inorganic-Organic Nanocomposite Systems”. Complex hybrid materials have been prepared, structurally characterized, and analyzed by theory. Theoretical chemistry supported by experimental studies has been successfully applied to investigate weak cooperative protein–protein, protein–DNA, and protein–carbohydrate interactions. Three departments (chemistry, physics, and medicine), the Center for Nanotechnology (CeNTech), the Center of Soft Nanoscience (SoN), and the Center for Multiscale Theory and Computation (CMTC) offer an ideal environment at the University of Münster to perform interdisciplinary research on Synergistic Effects in Chemistry. Multiple aspects of cooperativity in chemistry are addressed at the annual “Münster Symposium on Cooperative Effects in Chemistry” (MSCEC) held at the University Castle (see Figure 2). The Münster Castle, administrative center of the WWU Münster and venue of the Münster Symposium on Cooperative Effects in Chemistry (MSCEC). Since 2010, 29 internationally highly renowned scientists have contributed to this meeting (see Figure 3 for MSCEC 2016 plenary lecturers and Table 1 for a complete list). The Chair of the SFB 858, Armido Studer (far left), with MSCEC 2016 plenary lecturers Kenichiro Itami, Donald Hilvert, Dirk Trauner, and Stefan Grimme (from left to right). MSCEC 2017 Frances H. Arnold (California Institute of Technology, USA) Susumo Kitagawa (Kyoto University, JPN) Benjamin List (MPI für Kohlenforschung Mülheim, GER) Peter R. Schreiner (Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, GER) MSCEC 2016 Stefan Grimme (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, GER) Donald Hilvert (Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, SUI) Kinichiro Itami (Nagoya University, JPN) Dirk Trauner (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, GER) MSCEC 2015 Holger Braunschweig (Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, GER) Luisa De Cola (Université de Strasbourg, FRA) Matthew J. Gaunt (University of Cambridge, UK) Kendall N. Houk (University of California Los Angeles, USA) MSCEC 2014 Christopher W. Bielawski (University of Texas at Austin, USA) Ben L. Feringa (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, NED) John F. Hartwig (University of California at Berkely, USA) Peter H. Seeberger (MPI für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung Potsdam, GER) MSCEC 2013 Guy Bertrand (University of California San Diego, USA) Thomas Carell (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, GER) Siewert Jan Marrink (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, NED) Eiichi Nakamura (The University of Tokyo, JPN) MSCEC 2012 Christopher A. Hunter (The University of Sheffield, UK) David W. C. MacMillan (Princeton University, USA) Krzysztof Matyjaszewski (Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, USA) Shie-Ming Peng (National Taiwan University, TWN) MSCEC 2011 Erick M. Carreira (Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, SUI) David Milstein (The Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, ISR) Christof M. Niemeyer (Technische Universität Dortmund, GER) Klaus Schulten (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA) MSCEC 2010 Hansjörg Grützmacher (Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, SUI) Bruce H. Lipshutz (University of California Santa Barbara, USA) E.W. “Bert” Meijer (Eindhoven University of Technology, NED) F. Dean Toste (University of California Berkeley, USA) Herbert Waldmann (MPI für Molekulare Physiologie Dortmund, GER) The expertise of the plenary lecturers reflects the broad research interests of the SFB 858, covering areas from inorganic and organic synthesis, catalysis, biochemistry, theoretical chemistry, and functional materials. This special issue features several original research papers from former plenary lecturers along with contributions from past and present SFB 858 members. The plenary lectures at the symposium this year will be given on May 12, 2017 by Frances H. Arnold (CalTech, USA), Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University, Japan), Benjamin List (MPI Mülheim, Germany), and Peter R. Schreiner (University of Giessen, Germany) (see Figure 4). MSCEC 2017 plenary lecturers: Frances H. Arnold, Susumo Kitagawa, Benjamin List, and Peter R. Schreiner (from left to right). During the past years, more than one hundred international research groups from over fifty universities and research institutions have contributed to the MSCEC. Exceptionally well-received poster sessions provide young scientists with the opportunity to present their most recent results. Since 2014 the SFB 858 has been honoring young chemists at an early stage of their career with the MSCEC Young Researcher Awards for outstanding peer-reviewed publications (see Table 2). The prize winners present their work as short lectures during the one-day symposium (see Figure 5). 2016 Bill Morandi, PhD, junior group leader (MPI Mülheim) Susanne Löffler, MSc (TU Dortmund)) 2015 Janina Bucher, MSc (University of Heidelberg) Sven Neudeck, Dipl.-Chem. (University of Göttingen) 2014 Tanja Gaich, PhD, junior group leader (University of Hannover) Supitchaya Iamsaard, MSc (MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Twente) Left: Vicechair of the SFB 858, Prof. Frank Glorius (middle), with MSCEC Young Researcher Awardees 2016, Susanne Löffler (left) and Bill Morandi (right). Right: the Schloss-Aula, (Lecture Hall), venue of the MSCEC plenary lectures. The interdisciplinary research environment of the SFB provides ideal conditions for young independent researchers to develop their science and their academic careers. To date, four junior group leaders of the SFB 858 have moved on to permanent faculty positions elsewhere: Robert Wolf and Olga Garcia-Mancheno, both to the University of Regensburg; Pol Besenius, to the University of Mainz; and Mark P. Waller, to Shanghai University. All four have articles in this special issue. The close research collaboration within the SFB has transcended traditional barriers between the different areas in chemistry and their neighboring disciplines. Guided by the predictions of theoretical chemistry, synthetic chemists develop new promising compounds with novel cooperative functionality. The jointly pursued projects range from the fundamental study of chemical reactions on surfaces to testing linkers for biochemical conjugation. Experts in the partner disciplines apply their knowledge to tackle the relevant physics and biology issues involved. The research of the SFB 858 presented in this special issue has been carried out by the many talented young scientists united within this interdisciplinary program. More than a dozen of the articles are co-authored by two or more principal investigators of the SFB 858, typically involving an equivalent number of co-workers from their research groups. Heeding the special requirements of interdisciplinary research training, the SFB 858 supports its graduate students by a unique teaching program, the Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) “Principles and Applications of Cooperative Effects”. The program serves as a basic educational platform for the 40 active graduate students currently enrolled (see Figure 6). Up to now more than 100 graduate students have received their PhD degree within the framework of the SFB 858. Workshops and seminars serve to monitor individual project progress and promote a deeper understanding of the issues involved in the partner disciplines. International guest scientists contribute to the teaching program of the IRTG, which is complemented by tutorial seminars of the SFB 858 members on their core expertise. Graduate members of the Integrated Research Training Group. The picture was taken on the annual graduate students‘ workshop 2016. Recurring workshops and seminars give rise to steady scientific exchange. Complementary vocational seminars complete the educational agenda and strengthen the graduate students’ skills with respect to their prospective careers, may they enter industry or academia. In this context, the annual industry meeting FoChIn (Forum der Chemischen Industrie) allows for networking and deeper insight into industrial research and development. Presentation skills are trained and improved (e.g. by video feedback evaluation) with the help of the expert knowledge of chemical education professionals within the SFB 858. In addition, we have benefitted from an inspiring collaboration with artists from the Academy of Fine Arts Münster developing new ideas for the presentation and dissemination of research concepts and ideas (please refer to the Editorial on the collaboration “co.labore” within this issue for more details). We invite readers to take some time to read a few papers in this special issue, allowing them to be introduced and inspired by the exciting world of Synergistic Effects in Chemistry. In the name of all SFB 858 members, the authors would like to thank all scientists, who have participated to the Münster Symposium on Cooperative Effects and who have kindly agreed to contribute to this special issue of Chemistry—A European Journal. The authors also thank all past and present members of the SFB 858 and express their deep appreciation for their enthusiasm and their genuine commitment to interdisciplinary SFB research. It has been a pleasure working together on this program in a highly stimulating atmosphere. All the members of the SFB 858 are grateful to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität for their continuing and generous support during the past years.