Molecular sensors and switches ^Polymer Matrices for the Extraction of Metals from Seawater

pin Crossover is the phenomenon in which certain first row transition metals with d4 -d7 configurations can switch between the high and low spin states.[1] The change between spin states can be seen by a change in their optical properties and can be triggered by external stimuli e.g. temperature, pressure etc. Due to there ability to switch spin crossover materials have many applications e.g. sensors and molecular switches.[2] Fe (II) and (III) which can form neutral, cationic and anionic spin crossover materials, in literature there are less known anionic spin crossover materials although these are an equally important class over materials. [3], [4] The aim of this project will be to synthesise and characterise anionic spin crossover materials and to enhance their properties of the spin crossover materials via modification of their supramolecular aggregation. Characterisation techniques would include, PXRD, SCXRD and Raman spectroscopy.