Three new solution-processable platinum(II) polyyne polymers containing zinc(II) porphyrinate chromophores P1, P2, and P3 and their corresponding dinuclear model complexes were synthesized via the CuI-catalyzed dehydrohalogenation reaction of the platinum(II) chloride precursor and each of the respective bis(ethynyl)-zinc(porphyrin) metalloligands. The thermal, photophysical (absorption, excitation and emission spectra), electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of P1–P3 were investigated. These results are also correlated by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The computations corroborate the presence of moderate conjugation in the π-systems, somewhat more accentuated for P3 where more favorable dihedral angles between the porphyrin and thiophene rings are noted. Moreover, the computed excited states are predicted to be π–π* in nature with some charge transfer components from the trans-[−CCPt(L)2CC−] n unit to the porphyrin rings. The optical bandgaps range from 1.93 to 2.02 eV for P1–P3. Intense π–π*-localized fluorescence emissions typical of the Q-bands of the polymers were observed. The effect of thiophene ring along the polymer chain on the extent of π-conjugation, luminescent and photovoltaic properties of these metalated materials was also examined. Bulk heterojunction solar cells using these metallopolymers as an electron donor blended with a methanofullerene electron acceptor were studied. In one case, the metallopolymer P3 showed a power conversion efficiency of 1.04% with the open-circuit voltage of 0.77 V, short-circuit current density of 3.42 mA cm–2 and fill factor of 0.39 under illumination of an AM 1.5 solar cell simulator.

Achieving control over formation of molecular films on insulating substrates is important for designing novel 2D functional materials and devices. To study the main factors governing successful control, organic molecules with interchangeable polar functional groups, a variable length aromatic body, and flexible hydrocarbon chains are designed, synthesized and then deposited on the (001) surfaces of bulk sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and rubidium chloride. The deposited structures are imaged using noncontact atomic force microscopy and modeled using density functional theory. The results show that it is possible to form large‐scale, highly ordered, 2D, porous molecular domains (>104 pores), which are stable at room temperature, and to control the size of the 2D pores. Alternatively, it is possible to form line structures or droplets (through molecular dewetting) by altering the molecular structure or changing the substrate lattice constant. Theoretical calculations explain the balance of the molecule–molecule and molecule–surface interactions and the structure and thermodynamic stability of the grown films.