Charge Distribution in Photoexcited Molecules

这项有机和大分子化学的资助为乔治亚理工学院的Laren Tolbert博士的研究提供了支持。这项工作的重点是有机分子的酸碱性质的基本方面。酸碱关系及其理解是所有反应化学的核心，控制着分子间最基本的相互作用。某些有机分子在处于激发态时被预测为强酸，但通过快速质子转移却没有显示出可测量的酸性迹象。我们将详细研究支配这种迟缓行为的原理。表现出动力学和热力学酸性的分子也将被研究。利用的技术包括半经验分子轨道计算、稳态和时间分辨发射和吸收测量、光产物分析和合成方法开发。可能的应用包括用于“pH跳变”实验的更好的底物和用于阳离子聚合的有用光引发剂。

This grant in Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry provides support for the research of Dr. Laren Tolbert, Georgia Institute of Technology. The work focuses on fundamental aspects of the acid-base properties of organic molecules. Acid-base relationships and their understanding are at the core of all reaction chemistry, controlling the most fundamental of interactions between molecules. Certain organic molecules are predicted to be extremely strong acids when placed in the excited state, yet exhibit no measurable indication of that acidity through rapid proton transfer. The principles governing this sluggish behavior will be studied in detail. Molecules which exhibit kinetic as well as thermodynamic acidity will also be studied. Techniques to be utilized include semiempirical molecular orbital calculations, steady-state and time resolved emission and absorption measurements, photoproduct analysis, and synthetic methods development. Possible applications include better substrates for "pH jump" experiments and useful photoinitators for cationic polymerizations.