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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T03345/01
Title: Light-Switchable Molecular Devices Based on Metal Chromophores
Principal Investigator: Weinstein, Professor JA
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Chemistry
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2004 Ends: 31 January 2005 Value (£): 254,707
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Chemical Biology Chemical Synthetic Methodology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Healthcare
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
21 Apr 2004 Chemistry Fellowships Interview Panel 2004 Deferred
18 Mar 2004 Chemistry Fellowships Sift Panel 2004 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
A photoinduced charge-separated excited state is the key transient in a variety of light energy conversion processes, from photosynthesis to photocatalysis. The issue of vital importance is how to make this excited state longer-lived, by inhibiting various decay processes, so that such excited state has sufficient lifetime to become engaged in a desired chemical event. I address this question in a conceptually new way, by exploring a new type of simple structural reorganisation in the excited state as a tool to stabilize charge separation. I will use an ultrafast formation of a transient sulfur-sulfur three-electron bond, S.. S, on a metal template to achieve the difference in geometry and bonding in the excited state if compared to the ground state, thus providing a tool to control and/or block back electron transfer. [diimine-Metal-thiolate] (M = Pt, Pd) complexes lie at the core of this approach, providing a synthetically feasible and easily modifiable system. These complexes possess a low-energy charge-separated excited state, in which electron transfer from the thiolate moiety to the diimine ligand can lead to the formation of a new S.-. S bond, providing an energetic barrier to back electron transfer and stabilising charge-separation. We will explore and develop this concept by combining of organometallic synthesis, advanced time-resolved spectroscopic techniques and theoretical calculations in an internationally collaborative and interdisciplinary manner. We will explore a combination of the thiolate complexes with S.-. S approach to (i) develop new synthons for supramolecular chemistry; (ii) contribute to the fundamental understanding of radiation damage of DNA; (iii) rationally design new non-linear optical materials via the Structure-Property Relationships; (iv) contribute to understanding of early stage dynamics of biomolecules through development of new highly emissive biomolecular probes in combination with fast time-resolved spetcroscopy. This research, if successful, will open up new exciting avenues in controlling photoreactivity of coordination compounds. Furthermore, the outcome of our fundamental study on transient S-S interaction on a metal template can potentially make a major contribution to unravel the mechanisms by which Nature utilises the presence of two sulfur centres in close proximity to a metal centre in the processes involving electron transfer.
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Organisation Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk