Synthesis and Studies of Single-Molecule Magnets Incorporating Strongly Coupled Two-Coordinate Metal Building Units

Juan Valdez-Moreira被授予21财年数学和物理科学提升博士后研究奖学金(NSF MPS-Ascend)奖学金，以开展与加州大学伯克利分校化学专业代表不足的群体扩大参与相关的研究和活动。该项目由Juan Valdez-Moreira执行，题为包含强耦合两坐标金属建筑单元的单分子磁体的合成和研究，将在指导科学家Jeffrey R.Long的指导下进行。该项目得到了数学和物理科学局多学科活动办公室的支持。单分子磁体是离散的顺磁分子，在低温下可以表现为经典的块状磁体。这项提议寻求设计和合成新的线性单分子磁体，这些磁体可以在多核系统的设计中充当构建块，这些系统通过加强大磁耦合的配体连接在一起。一个目标是开发在更高(更实用)温度下保持其磁性的化合物。这项工作有可能产生广泛的科学影响，因为它与数据存储、量子计算和暗物质探测等领域有很强的联系。除了拟议的综合研究外，瓦尔迪兹-莫雷拉博士还将开展外联活动，目的是接触非科学界，以及教育和激发人们对与拟议研究有关的专题的兴趣。他将与美国化学学会、奇卡诺人/拉美裔美国人促进会和美国原住民科学促进会以及其他学会合作，帮助推进他扩大参与的目标。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Juan Valdez-Moreira is awarded a FY21 Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research (NSF MPS-Ascend) Fellowship to conduct a program of research and activities related to broadening participation by groups underrepresented in Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley. The project being performed by Juan Valdez-Moreira, entitled Synthesis and Studies of Single-Molecule Magnets Incorporating Strongly Coupled Two-Coordinate Metal Building Units, is to be conducted under the guidance of mentoring scientist Jeffrey R. Long. This project is supported by the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.Single-molecule magnets are discrete paramagnetic molecules that can behave as classical bulk magnets at low temperature. This proposal seeks to design and synthesize new linear single-molecule magnets that can serve as building blocks in the design of multinuclear systems that are linked by ligands that enforce large magnetic coupling. A goal is development of compounds that retain their magnetic properties at higher (more practical) temperatures. This work has potential for broad scientific impact because of its strong connections to areas such as data storage, quantum computing and dark matter detection. In addition to proposed synthetic studies, Dr. Valdez-Moreira will carry out outreach activities, with the aim of reaching non-scientific communities, and the goal of educating and sparking interest in topics related to the proposed research. He will work with local sections of the American Chemical Society, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, and other societies to help advance his broadening participation goals.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.