| Two
or more paramagnetic centers in close proximity do not behave
independently; they are said to be coupled. This interaction, known as
Heisenberg Spin Exchange, affects the electronic structure of molecules
and also their optical and magnetic properties. My research focuses on
understanding how do those changes on the electronic structure of a
system impact Electron and Energy Transfer processes.
Previous work in our group studied electron and energy transfer
reactions between a Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex (the donor) and
an exchange-coupled diiron(III) complex (the acceptor). The obtained
results suggest that Heisenberg Spin Exchange does affect these
processes. However, some limitations (e.g., diffusion-limited kinetics)
were encountered. These are endemic to bimolecular systems, and could
be overcome if electron and energy transfer processes were studied on
intramolecular systems, with covalently linked donors and acceptors.
My project consists in taking that next step, appending the donor
moiety to the acceptor. The synthesis of these systems is one the most
challenging aspects of the project. Hopefully, these new systems will
allow us to gain more insight in the interplay between spin exchange
and chemical reactivity.
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