Magnetic Coordination Cages
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
The primary objective of this research is to establish a magneto-structural relationship for a range host-guest coordination capsule supramolecular ensembles.
This will be achieved by targeting a number of sub-goals. This includes synthesising a series of novel paramagnetic M4L6 tetrahedral complexes and investigating their magnetic properties. We will then investigate how host-guest interactions with both diamagnetic and paramagentic species modulate the magnetic properties of these tetrahedral species.
We will also aim to nvestigate how the magnetic properties of discrete mononuclear (e.g. Ru or Re) complexes are affected by encapsulation inside a diamagnetic host.
Finally, we wish to realise switchable molecular magnets by using redox-induced changes to either the guest and/or host.
This will be achieved by targeting a number of sub-goals. This includes synthesising a series of novel paramagnetic M4L6 tetrahedral complexes and investigating their magnetic properties. We will then investigate how host-guest interactions with both diamagnetic and paramagentic species modulate the magnetic properties of these tetrahedral species.
We will also aim to nvestigate how the magnetic properties of discrete mononuclear (e.g. Ru or Re) complexes are affected by encapsulation inside a diamagnetic host.
Finally, we wish to realise switchable molecular magnets by using redox-induced changes to either the guest and/or host.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509644/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1940669 | Studentship | EP/N509644/1 | 01/09/2017 | 28/02/2021 | Aaron Scott |
| Description | The research is focused on paramagnetic coordination cages, which are molecular cages/capsules that have metals at the vertices that are affected by an external magnetic field. The reason these molecules are attractive is because they have internal cavities that can bind other smaller "guest" molecules with the potential of modifying the properties of both the cage and the guest. We have been encapsulating molecules within these cages and have seen that the magnetic behaviour of the molecules changes. |
| Exploitation Route | While the research is for initial understanding of the influences on magnetic behaviour of these molecules there is potential that they can be used for quantum information processing by being able to construct molecular quantum bits. The metals at the vertices have been proposed to act as electron-spin based qubits, with the ligands and/or the guest molecules allowing magnetic exchange between the metals may allow for quantum gates to be achieved. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |