- Studentship in 1989 at University of Hong Kong
Dr Yip is interested in Metal-directed Self Assembly of nanoscopic and supramolecular structures, Molecular wires, inorganic and organometallic photochemistry.
- Nanoscopic and Supramolecular Chemistry: my group is interested in using metal-directed self-assembly to construct nanosized inorganic molecules. Recent work showed that a digold(I) molecular "clip" can be used to build molecular rectangle (1.6 nm x 0.7 nm) which is a receptor for aromatic molecules. The rectangle is fluorescent and shows interesting molecular recognitions. Currently we are using similar techniques to build nanoscopic molecular cages which can be engineered into enzyme-like catalysts. By judicious design of ligands, it is possible to devise molecular rectangles which can self-assemble into nanotubes.
- Molecular Wires: There is a lot interest in organometallic p-conjuated rod-like molecules because of their potential applications in OLED, non-linear optics, liquid crystals and molecular electronics. Understanding how charges delocalize over the p-conjuagted systems, especially the roles played by the metals is important. Currently we are studying the effect of metal clusters or metal-metal bonds in mediating electronic communications in organometallic rod-like molecules. New metal-containing p-conjugated systems are being developed in our lab.
- Inorganic and Organometallic Photochemistry: Photoluminescent inorganic and organometallic complexes have important applications in solar energy conversion, molecular electronics, biological labeling, OLED etc. Our lab is currently working on the synthesis and photochemistry of Pd, Pt, Au, Cu and Ag complexes which can be engineered into chemicals sensors for small molecules (i.e. O2, NO) or undergo multielectron transfer reactions.