EPR spectroscopy of f-block complexes

EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy is a powerful but underused tool to study f-block complexes. This project will build on work in the Manchester EPR and Molecular Magnetism groups, exploiting EPR and complementary methods towards developing a detailed understanding of the electronic structure of f-element compounds. The ultimate goal is to rationalise important physical behaviour, for example the nature of the chemical bonding to ligands, or magnetic (electron spin) relaxation behaviour. The PhD student will be trained in use of state-of-the-art EPR spectroscopy (both continuous wave and pulsed methods), magnetometry, and in modelling such data. This will include:
1. tracking changes in electronic structure as a function of systematic changes in ligand set in related families of complexes.
2. Following simple series of chemical reactions of such species by EPR. Ultimately we want to apply such knowledge to e.g. reactive intermediates.
3. Implement new EPR methods to aid analysis to this part of the Periodic Table.
4. Test the validity of the standard models for such complexes.
5. Extend studies to new chemistry.