Adaptation and Self-Regulation in Multichromophoric Molecules

美国国家科学基金会化学部的有机和高分子化学项目支持德文斯·J·古斯特教授、安娜·L.摩尔和托马斯A.摩尔的亚利桑那州州立大学的一个研究项目，涉及合成和研究复杂的分子组成的共价连接的发色团，电子供体和受体，以及光致变色分子，改变其结构暴露于光。这些组分中的每一种都可以通过分子内能量和电子转移与其他组分交换信息。正是这些相互作用将使复杂的现象出现。几种不同类型的分子系统已被确定为最有前途的研究。在其中一个系统中，Gust教授和他的合作者将设计，合成和光谱研究吸收光并将其转化为电荷分离状态形式的电化学能的分子，就像光合反应中心一样。另一方面，“分子三极管”和相关结构将被研究。在这些中，光诱导输出（诸如荧光或光诱导电荷分离）将被也被分子吸收的第二波长的光调制。这些分子将是电子放大管或晶体管的类似物，它们的设计将挑战我们对影响分子内能量和电子转移的因素的理解。最后，最近的研究表明，地球磁场会影响光诱导分子内电子转移形成的双自由基态的寿命。这一发现可能有助于揭示鸟类和其他哺乳动物如何利用地球磁场导航。然而，所观察到的效应的化学基础尚不清楚。Gust教授和合作者将与牛津大学的研究人员合作，制备和研究旨在揭示该机制的新分子。拟议研究的更广泛影响将是导致更好地理解涌现现象的结果，这是一个跨越许多领域的主题化学、物理和生物学。这项研究将涉及本科生、研究生和博士后学生。特别重要的是，对来自传统上在化学领域代表性不足的群体的学生进行培训。一些招聘和培训将与WAESO（西部联盟扩大学生机会）的几个单位合作，WAESO是一个以亚利桑那州立大学为中心的NSF-LSAMP项目。此外，将与几所拉丁美洲大学建立正式和非正式的研究生交流方案。经验表明，来自拉丁美洲的才华横溢、成功的学生是国内西班牙裔学生的优秀榜样，为他们提供了发挥潜力所需的指导和信心。与几所欧洲大学的非正式学生交流计划目前正在进行中，并将在新项目中继续和扩大。

The Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation supports Professors Devens J. Gust, Anna L. Moore and Thomas A. Moore of Arizona State University for a research project that involves the synthesis and study of complex molecules consisting of covalently linked chromophores, electron donors and acceptors, and photochromic molecules that change their structure upon exposure to light. Each of these components can exchange information with others via intramolecular energy and electron transfer. It is these interactions that will allow complex phenomena to emerge. Several different classes of molecular systems have been identified as most promising for study. In one of these systems, Professor Gust and his collaborators will design, synthesize, and spectroscopically investigate molecules that absorb light and convert it to electrochemical energy in the form of a charge-separated state, as occurs in photosynthetic reaction centers. In another, "molecular triodes" and related structures will be studied. In these, a light-induced output such as fluorescence or photoinduced charge separation will be modulated by a second wavelength of light that is also absorbed by the molecule. These molecules will be analogs of electronic triode amplifier tubes or transistors, and their design will challenge our understanding of the factors influencing intramolecular energy and electron transfer. And finally, it has been recently demonstrated that the earth's magnetic field affects the lifetime of biradical states formed by light-induced intramolecular electron transfer. This discovery may help uncover how birds and other mammals can navigate using the earth's magnetic field. However, the chemical basis of the observed effect is not yet understood. Professor Gust and collaborators will prepare and study new molecules designed to uncover the mechanism in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford.Broader impacts of the proposed research will be results that lead to a better understanding of emergent phenomena, a topic that cuts across many fields of chemistry, physics and biology. The research will involve students at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels. Of special importance is the training of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in chemistry. Some of the recruiting and training will be in collaboration with several units of WAESO, (Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities), an NSF-LSAMP program centered at Arizona State University. Additionally, formal and informal programs for exchange of research students will be instituted with several Latin American universities. Experience has shown that highly-talented, successful students from Latin America serve as excellent role models for domestic Hispanic students, giving them the guidance and confidence necessary to achieve their potential. Informal student exchange programs with several European universities are currently in place, and will be continued and expanded in the new project.