CAS: CAREER: Bridging Photoacids and Photobases with Schiff base Platforms

在这个由化学部的化学结构，动力学机制-B（CSDM-B）计划和刺激竞争性研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）共同资助的CAREER项目中，鲍登学院化学和生物化学系的Kana Takematsu正在开发新的分子类别，这些分子旨在进行质子交换以响应光。光引发的质子运动具有无数的化学意义，包括利用太阳能。这项研究的目标是研究这些分子的化学特性及其环境如何影响它们有效交换质子的能力，这些信息将用于设计针对目标应用的光酸和光碱。该项目将由来自不同背景的本科生团队进行，支持包容性的研究文化，促进学生的科学身份和归属感。实验室模块将被创建并嵌入到课程中，向学生介绍光化学领域，学生将有机会通过合作研究项目和会议成为更广泛的科学界的一部分。 光酸和光碱允许通过光在时间和空间上控制质子的捐赠和提取。为所需的应用设计光酸和光碱需要对促进激发态质子转移（ESPT）的驱动力和溶剂参数有基本的了解。该项目利用Schiff碱化学的化学模块性来构建光酸和光碱，用于ESPT和激发态分子内质子转移的详细机理研究。这种设计中固有的是能够光异构化的碳-氮双键，其可以潜在地触发与ESPT偶联的结构重排。在这个项目中，目标1将测试希夫碱模板是否为萘酚光酸衍生物提供合适的支架。目标2将测试席夫碱模板是否为喹啉光碱衍生物提供合适的支架。 Aim 3建立在这些平台上，通过在支架上添加吡啶基质子受体和苯酚基质子供体，测试碳-氮双键光异构化是否可以与ESPT偶联。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In this CAREER project, jointly funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics & Mechanisms-B (CSDM-B) Program of the Chemistry Division and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Kana Takematsu of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Bowdoin College is developing new classes of molecules that are designed to undergo the exchange of protons in response to light. The light-initiated movement of protons has myriad chemical implications, including in the harnessing of solar energy. The goal of this research is to study how the chemical characteristics of these molecules and their environment affect their ability to exchange protons effectively, information that will be used to design photo-acids and photo-bases for targeted applications. The project will be conducted by a team of undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, supporting an inclusive research culture that fosters science identity and belonging in students. Laboratory modules will be created and embedded into courses to introduce students to the field of photochemistry, and students will have the opportunity to become part of the broader scientific community through collaborative research projects and meetings. Photo-acids and photo-bases allow temporal and spatial control of proton donation and abstraction via light. Designing photo-acids and photo-bases for desired applications requires a fundamental understanding of the driving forces and solvent parameters that promote excited state proton transfer (ESPT). The proposed project utilizes the chemical modularity of Schiff base chemistry to build photo-acids and photo-bases for detailed mechanistic studies of ESPT and excited state intramolecular proton transfer. Inherent in this design is a carbon-nitrogen double bond capable of photo-isomerization that can potentially trigger a structural rearrangement coupled to ESPT. In this project, Aim 1 will test whether the Schiff base template provides a suitable scaffold for naphthol photo-acid derivatives. Aim 2 will test whether the Schiff base template provides a suitable scaffold for quinoline photo-base derivatives. And Aim 3 builds on these platforms to test whether carbon-nitrogen double bond photo-isomerization can be coupled to ESPT through addition of pyridine-based proton acceptors and phenol-based proton donors to the scaffold.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.