Time Resolved Crystallography
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Single crystal X-ray diffraction is the most powerful method available for determining the three dimensional structure of molecular materials in the solid state. However, it has always been viewed as a ground state, time averaged method of analysis that does not give information on what molecules look like when they are undergoing a chemical or photochemical reaction. This project sets out to change this situation, and introduce the 4th dimension of time into diffraction experiments so that it will be possible to determine the structure of molecules as they undergo a photochemical activation and see species that have lifetimes of a few microseconds of less. Using this technique it will be possible to make a molecular movie and watch molecular geometries change, in three dimensions, as the chemical process occurs. In order to undertake a successful time resolved (photocrystallographic) experiment it is necessary to pump the crystal with a pulsed laser and probe it with an X-ray beam from a synchrotron in a synchronised fashion so that the excited state structure is obtained.This has the potential to be a very important technique for understanding the processes that occur in opto-electronic materials when they are activated, and may help in the designe of new smart materials.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Robert Raithby (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Cotton S
(2017)
Systematics and surprises in lanthanide coordination chemistry
in Coordination Chemistry Reviews
Burrows A
(2012)
The effect of carboxylate and N,N'-ditopic ligand lengths on the structures of copper and zinc coordination polymers
in CrystEngComm
Tong LH
(2011)
Complexes of aryl-substituted porphyrins and naphthalenediimide (NDI): investigations by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Harford PJ
(2012)
Expanding the tools available for direct ortho cupration--targeting lithium phosphidocuprates.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Johnson AL
(2009)
Unprecedented double migratory insertion of phenyl isocyanide into cyclopentadienyl C-H bonds.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Li P
(2008)
A new series of dinuclear Au(I) complexes linked by diethynylpyridine groups.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Shah HH
(2013)
New multi-ferrocenyl- and multi-ferricenyl- materials via coordination-driven self-assembly and via charge-driven electro-crystallization.
in Inorganic chemistry
De La Riva H
(2006)
A new type of luminescent alkynyl Au4Cu2 cluster.
in Inorganic chemistry
Mole RA
(2011)
Two stage magnetic ordering and spin idle behavior of the coordination polymer Co3(OH)2(C4O4)2·3H2O determined using neutron diffraction.
in Inorganic chemistry
Cotton S
(2008)
Synthesis and structure of a dimeric scandium bis(µ-methoxy) complex
in Inorganic Chemistry Communications
Description | We have discovered how to use X-ray crystallography to "watch" chemical processes as they occur. In the method called photocrystallography the materials are activated by light and time-resolved crystallographic methods are used to determine the structure of the molecules in their excited states which may only exist for microseconds. These materials can act as switches and sensors, changing color under photoactivation. |
Exploitation Route | The work in this Fellowship has led on to subsequent grants and a current Programme Grant. This research has developed the area further. Other academic groups are now using the methods that we have developed, and several industrial companies are interested in the materials for real world applications. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Education,Electronics,Energy,Healthcare |
Description | Methods for studying materials under photoactivation were developed. These are now being looked at by industry so see if the promising materials could be used as sensors and switches. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Electronics,Energy |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £108,403 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F021151/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2008 |
End | 09/2012 |
Title | Methods for determining the structures of materials that are metastable or have short lifetimes in the solid state using photocrystallographic methods |
Description | We have developed single-crystal X-ray crystallographic methods for determining the structures of metastable materials using photocrystallographic methods. These methods have been adopted by other groups and photocrystallography is now a growing topic. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | We have established the structures of a range of coordination complexes that show linkage isomerism under photoactivation. The use of LEDs to photoactivate the materials is now in teh public domain and the methodology has been adopted by a number of research groups. |