Redox activity of host-guest, organometallic and molecular structures at electrode interfaces.

Aim:
Investigation of reactivity for electron transfer and molecular structure by means of reactions at phase interface of electrode – dilution.

The main objective of the Action is to increase the fundamental knowledge and understanding of the chemistry occurring at surfaces and interfaces and the factors that tune it. An interdisciplinary, combined effort is the approach. A fundamental approach is advocated, even for industrially oriented research projects. This requires precisely defined problems at all levels and an interdisciplinary approach i.e. synthesis and activation of the materials; measurement of the surface properties; understanding surface properties at the atomic, molecular or cluster level and theoretical understanding of these properties in relation to chemical composition and the structure of the surface. As a consequence, the secondary objective is to gain advanced knowledge for modelling/predicting of the structure/composition reactivity/surface properties relationships of the materials, by means of characterisation of the bulk and surface properties under real operation conditions and for preparing materials with tuneable properties.

Domain : Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies
Action D36Title : Molecular structure-performance relationships at the surface of functional materials

Working group D36/0001/05: Electron transfer reactions are widely performed at electrode surfaces. Suitable modification of molecular structures or the surface structure yields selectivity which suppresses undesirable reaction pathways. We propose research oriented on several diverse aspects of imposed selectivity. The incorporation of organic redox active compounds in molecular host cavities, surface anchoring of antigen or antibody components and ligand design for stabilization of reactive redox states of transition metals will be investigated. These principles will be applied to systems encountered in the environment or in the pollution control, in pharmaceutical drug delivery and in the redox catalysis. Molecular structure-performance relationship will be sought with the aim to avoid undesirable side reactions, to improve specificity and sensitivity of detection methods and to protect specific molecular functions during the electron transfer reactions.