Development of systems for reversible electron transfer

Electron transfer and charge separation are some of the most important phenomena in the Universe. It plays an important role in processes essential for life, such as photosynthesis, respiration, protein folding, and biocatalysis. It is also highly relevant for solar cells, batteries, molecular electronics, and smart materials.

The thesis will focus on the possibility of reversible charge transfer between two redox-active centers. The transfer of charge will be in both directions controlled by photoinduced electron transfer^1,2 and both states will be stabilized by external factors, such as macromolecular complexation, follow-up chemical reaction or interaction with stabilizing the molecule.³

Systems capable of reversible electron transfer where both states will be macroscopically stable will exhibit novel and unprecedented properties: dipole reorientation, control of charges and counterions and regulation of electrostatics.⁴ These unique properties will be further used in the design of novel materials and devices in molecular electronics.

The candidate will perform synthesis and characterization of organic redox-active molecules and will study their properties both in solution and solid state to understand the phenomena of reversible electron transfer. He/she will become a part of a dynamic junior research team investigating small organic molecules undergoing redox processes and reversible chemical reactions.

The highly motivated and skillful candidate will have the opportunity to extend his/her graduate training in physical and organic chemistry by learning electrochemical, photochemical and advanced spectroscopic methods.

Field of study: Organic chemistry

References :

1. T. Ghosh, T. Slanina, B. König, Chem Sci 2015, 6, 2027–2034.
2. A. U. Meyer, T. Slanina, C.-J. Yao, B. König, ACS Catal. 2016, 6, 369–375.
3. T. Fiala, L. Ludvíková, D. Heger, J. Švec, T. Slanina, L. Vetráková, M. Babiak, M. Nečas, P. Kulhánek, P. Klán, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 2597–2603.
4. L. S. McCarty, G. M. Whitesides, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 2188–2207.