Metallorganilise

Metallorganilise is a term used to describe the deliberate incorporation of metal atoms or clusters into organic molecular frameworks in a controlled and systematic manner. The concept emerged in the early 2020s as researchers sought ways to combine the electronic versatility of transition metals with the structural diversity of organic ligands. By employing synthetic strategies that bind metal centers to conjugated, heteroatom‑rich organic backbones, metallorganilise allows the creation of hybrid materials that display unique catalytic, electronic, or photonic properties.

The technique is closely related to metal‑organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), but differs in that the metal sites are often positioned in predetermined geometries to enhance reactivity or to mimic enzymatic active sites. Metallorganilise protocols typically involve step‑wise ligand exchange, ligand‑directed metalation, or ligand‑assisted self‑assembly under mild conditions. Modern variants use photochemical activation or green solvents to reduce environmental impact.

Applications of metallorganilise span homogeneous catalysis, where metal‑organic complexes provide high turnover frequencies for olefin metathesis and cross‑coupling reactions, to heterogeneous systems such as porous metal–organic composites that capture CO₂ or serve as photocatalysts for water splitting. In materials science, metallorganilise has led to the development of flexible conductive films and quantum dot arrays that combine robust organic matrices with tailored metal‑center electronic states. The field remains active, with ongoing research focused on expanding the library of accessible metal‑ligand chemistries and integrating metallorganilise components into biomedical and sensing devices.