I am a full professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State interested in a wide range of topics, from synthetic organic chemistry to supramolecular chemistry, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches.

I earned my MSc in Chemistry from the Higher Chemical College of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Russia. I then obtained a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Emory University, Atlanta, USA, in 2001, under the mentorship of Prof. F. M. Menger. Following my PhD, I completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one at ETH Zürich, Switzerland, with Prof. F. Diederich, and another at Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany, with Prof. T. Carell. In 2011, I completed my Habilitation (the highest academic qualification in Germany) at the University of Bremen, where I also served as a "Privatdozent" (equivalent to Senior Lecturer) for several years. I joined the University of the Free State as a Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2018.

My research spans various areas within supramolecular chemistry, molecular self-organization, and the development of redox- and light-controllable molecular receptors, devices, and materials. A central theme of my work is investigating intermolecular interactions and their influence on molecular behavior and reactivity. Additionally, I contribute to collaborative projects focused on weak interactions in molecular crystals, complex formation, gas-phase reactivity using mass spectrometry, and the development of enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts.

I have supervised 22 postgraduate students (MSc and PhD), whose work has significantly contributed to my research, resulting in approximately 65 publications. I actively review for several high-impact journals, including Chemistry – A European Journal and Journal of Organic Chemistry, and serve as an Editorial Board member for Scientific Reports. I am also a member of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the South African Chemical Institute (SACI).

ORCID ID:  0000-0002-2340-2198

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POSITIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE GROUP

For the full publication list see my CV.

A selection of papers from different areas of my research interests:

• A. R. Mashweu, V. A. Azov, "Nanotechnology in drug delivery: anatomy and molecular in-sight into the self-assembly of peptide-based hydrogels", Molecules 2024, 29, 5654.
• V. A. Azov, J. Warneke, Z. Warneke, M. Zeller, L. Twigge, “Calix[4]arene with a stiff upper rim bridge: spontaneous macrocyclization, structure, and dynamic behaviour”, New J. Chem. 2024, 48, 12246–12253.
• F. J. De Beer, F. J. F. Jacobs, A. Ntsila, D. V. Kama, V. A. Azov, “Analysis of short contacts in crystals of halogenated amino acids: atom–atom interactions vs. energy frameworks”, CrystEngComm 2024, 26, 604–619.
• F. Yang, R. D. Urban, J. Lorenz, J. Griebel, N. Koohbor, M. Rohdenburg, H. Knorke, D. Fuhrmann, A. Charvat, B. Abel, V. A. Azov, J. Warneke, “Control of Intermediates and Products by Combining Droplet Reactions and Ion Soft-Landing” Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202314784.
• V. A. Azov, F. J. De Beer, “Redox-Responsive Macrocyclic Hosts Based on Calix[4]arene and Calix[4]resorcinarene Scaffolds” Isr. J. Chem. 2024, 64, e202300075.
• V. A. Azov, L. Mueller, A. A. Makarov, “Laser ionization mass spectrometry at 55: Quo Vadis?” Mass Spectrom. Rev. 2022, 41, 100-151.
• D. Schlüter, K. R. Korsching, V. A. Azov, “Lower-Rim-Modified Calix[4]arene-Pyrrolotetrathiafulvalene Molecular Tweezers” Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2021, 4469–4476.
• J. Warneke, M. Mayer, M. Rohdenburg, X. Ma, J. K. Y. Liu, M. Grellmann, S. Debnath, V. A. Azov, E. Apra, R. P. Young, C. Jenne, G. E. Johnson, H. I. Kenttämaa, K. R. Asmis, J. Laskin, “Direct functionalization of C-H bonds by electrophilic anions” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2020, 117, 23374-23379.
• V. A. Azov, K. S. Egorova, M. M. Seitkalieva, A. S. Kashin, V. P. Ananikov, “Solvent-in-salt” systems for design of new materials in chemistry, biology and energy research” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 1250-1284.
• M. Rohdenburg, M. Mayer, M. Grellmann, C. Jenne, T. Borrmann, F. Kleemiss, V. A. Azov, K. R. Asmis, S. Grabowsky, J. Warneke, “Superelectrophilic Behavior of an Anion Demonstrated by Spontaneous Binding of [B₁₂Cl₁₁]^- with Noble Gases” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 7980–7985, and cover page 7681.
• I. Schrader, S. Neumann, A. Šulce, F. Schmidt, V. A. Azov, S. Kunz, “Asymmetric Heterogeneous Catalysis – Transfer of Molecular Principles to Nanoparticles by Ligand Functionalization” ACS Catal. 2017, 7, 3979–3987.
• V. A. Azov, “Recent advances in molecular recognition with tetrathiafulvalene-based receptors” Tetrahedron Lett. 2016, 57, 5416–5425; invited review.
• J. Warneke, C. Jenne, J. Bernarding, V. A. Azov, M. Plaumann, “Evidence for an intrinsic binding force between dodecaborate dianions and receptors with hydrophobic binding pockets” Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 6300–6303.
• C. M. L. Vande Velde, M. Zeller, V. A. Azov, “Thermodynamic parameters of the pedal motion in the crystal structures of two bromomethylated azobenzenes” CrystEngComm 2015, 17, 5751–5756.
• U. Kauscher, K. Bartels, I. Schrader, V. A. Azov, B. J. Ravoo, “Metastable oxidation states of tetrathiafulvalenes on the surface of liposomes” J Mater Chem. B 2015, 3, 475-480.
• V. A. Azov, J. Cordes, D. Schlüter, T. Dülcks, M. Böckmann, N. L. Doltsinis, “Light-controlled macrocyclization of tetrathiafulvalene with azobenzene: designing an opto-electronic molecular switch” J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79, 11714-11721.
• M. H. Düker, H. Schäfer, M. Zeller, V. A. Azov, “Rationally Designed Calix[4]arene-Pyrrolotetrathiafulvalene Receptors for Electron-Deficient Neutral Guests” J. Org. Chem. 2013, 78, 4905–4912.
• V. A. Azov, F. Diederich, “Switching Processess in Cavitands, Containers, and Capsules” in Molecular Switches, 2^nd Edition; B. L. Feringa, W. R. Browne, eds.; Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2011, 257–300.
• V. A. Azov, R. Gómez, J. Stelten, “Synthesis of electrochemically responsive TTF-based molecular tweezers: evidence of tight intramolecular TTF pairing in solution” Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 1909–1917.
• V. A. Azov, A. Beeby, M. Cacciarini, A. G. Cheetham, F. Diederich, M. Frei, J. K. Gimzewski, V. Gramlich, B. Hecht, B. Jaun, T. Latychevskaya, A. Lieb, Y. Lill, F. Marotti, A. Schlegel, R. R. Schlittler, P. J. Skinner, P. Seiler, Y. Yamakoshi, “Resorcin[4]arene Cavitand-Based Molecular Switches” Adv. Funct. Mat. 2006, 16, 147–156.
• V. A. Azov, A. Schlegel, F. Diederich, “Geometrically Precisely Defined Multinanometer Extension/Contraction Motions in a Resorcin[4]arene Cavitand-Based Molecular Switch Observed by FRET” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 4635–4638.
• F. M. Menger, V. A. Azov, “Synthesis and Properties Water-Soluble Asterisk Molecules” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 11159–11166.
• F. M. Menger, J. Bian, V. A. Azov, “A 1,3,5-Triaxial-Triamino-Cyclohexane: The Triamine Corresponding to Kemp’s Triacid” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 2581–2584.
• F. M. Menger, V. A. Azov, “Cytomimetic Modeling in Which One Phospholipid Liposome Chemically Attacks Another” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 6492–6493.

Our research interests lie in the area of supramolecular chemistry and chemistry of materials and focus on synthesis of complex molecular architectures for investigation of processes of molecular recognition, molecular switching, and controllable self-assembly. Most of the structures we prepare and study comprise one or several tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units, capable of reversible switching of electron-donating properties by oxidation/reduction.

Dynamic molecular architectures based on tetrathiaulvalenes and calix[4]arenes. We use tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) building blocks, capable of reversible switching of electron-donating properties by oxidation/reduction, for the design of dynamic molecular architectures. (a) We developed redox-active molecular receptors with two or more spatially aligned TTF groups comprising a molecular recognition center for binding electron deficient molecular guests. In future, employing a modular assembly methodology and taking advantage of several building blocks, molecular receptors tailored for particular applications, e.g. sensorics, can be designed and investigated. (b) In another project we developed azobenzene-tetrathiafulvalene macrocycles that comprise two switching units: electrochemically-active tetrathiafulvalenes and photochemically-active azobenzenes. The oxidation potential of small, structurally rigid TTF-AB macrocycle depends on the conformation of the AB moiety, opening the way for the modulation of redox properties by an optical stimulus and design molecular devices with orthogonal write (optical) and read (electrical) modes.

Functional supramolecular materials. Development of functional supramolecular materials started with a collaborative project (with Prof B. J. Ravoo, University of Münster, Germany) aimed at investigation of redox-capable vesicles with TTF units. It was continued with the development of peptide-based soft materials incorporating unnatural amino acids with appended donor (D) and acceptor (A) groups. Donor-acceptor charge transfer (CT) interactions are expected to increase the attraction between the amino acid residues and stabilize the desired peptide structures. The project is conducted in collaboration with the ORGC group (Pruf. U. Hennecke, Prof s. Ballet, Prof. Martinin Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), Belgium), which has extensive experience in the design and synthesis of peptides, particularly peptide-based hydrogelators. Two synthetic approaches (using Pd-catalyzed Negishi reaction and Hoffmann degradation of asparagine / glutamine) were successfully used by me for the synthesis of about 20 novel non-canonical amino acids, allowing for the preparation of more than 30 different hexapeptide hydrogelators. Our goal is to utilize these improved peptide hydrogelators to enhance existing drug delivery systems.

Analysis of weak interaction networks in molecular crystals. Analyzing patterns of weak intermolecular interactions (e.g. H-bonds, halogen bonds, interactions of p-systems) in crystal structures of organic compounds helps shed light on the role of these interactions in the self-assembly processes in the liquid phase, making this knowledge invaluable in material science. In collaboration with crystallographers from different places (Prof. C.M.L. Vande Velde, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Dr. M. Zeller, Purdue University, USA; currently Dr. D.V. Kama, UFS), we use computational methods of crystal analysis, energy networks / PIXEL calculations, to understand the role of different weak interactions contributing to the stabilization of crystal lattices as well as to explain phenomena in crystal phase, such as dynamic disorder in crystals of azobenzene derivatives.

Mass spectrometry in study of reactivity, reaction mechanisms, and weak interactions in the gas phase. My interest in mass spectrometry and its applications in various fields of chemical research began in 2005 when I designed and synthesized several dye pairs for the first gas-phase investigation of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Since 2016, I have been a consistent member of the team lead by Prof J. Warneke (University of Leipzig, Germany), who uses methods of mass spectrometry to investigate different types of chemistries in the gas phase. The collaboration included the investigation of highly reactive fragment ions of dodecaborates, capable of inert gas and C-C / C-H bond activation in alkanes, as well as reaction acceleration in microdroplets and soft landing. I have contributed my expertise in reactivity and reaction mechanisms and regularly provide samples for these studies.

Enantioselective heterogeneous catalysis. In a collaborative project with Dr. S. Kunz (University of Bremen, Germany), we aim to create enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts. For that purpose, the surfaces of catalytic Pt or Pd nanoparticles (NPs) are modified with simple chiral organic ligands, such as proline and its derivatives, which influence the orientation of substrates on the catalytic surface and promote chiral induction. Within the framework of the project, the catalyst-ligand-substrate binding model was proposed, and high chemo- and enantioselectivities (above 80% ee) in hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds have been achieved.

•    Synthetic and supramolecular organic chemistry
•    Design and synthesis of molecular receptors, devices and soft materials
•    Molecular recognition and self-organization
•    Synthesis of unnatural amino acids
•    Mass-spectrometry in the study of weak interactions and reactivity in the gas phase
•    Quantifying intermolecular interactions in molecular crystals
•    Concept transfer between the supramolecular chemistry and nanoscience

CHEM 1623 (Organic Chemistry I, BSc level)

CHEM 3743 (Organic Chemistry III, BSc level)

CHEM 3741 (Organic Chemistry III practical labs, BSc level)

CHEC 6803 (Use of organometallic reagents in organic synthesis, BSc Hons level)

CHEG 6863 (Concepts and applications of supramolecular chemistry, BSc Hons level)

CHEM 6808 (BSc Hons research project)

Previous teaching experience (University of Bremen, Germany; 2007-2017)

Organic Chemistry I (basic course in Organic Chemistry, BSc level)

Methods and Strategy of Organic Synthesis (advanced course in Organic Chemistry, MSc level)

Supramolecular Chemistry (basic course, BSc level)

Advanced Supramolecular Chemistry and Chemistry of Materials (advanced course, MSc level)

Organic Chemistry practical labs (2^nd year, BSc level)

Advanced Organic Chemistry practical labs (MSc level)