Objectif
The objective of this proposal is the design and investigation of molecular assemblies capable of mimicking the oxygen-evolving centre in photosystem II. So far no artificial systems have been produced which are capable of carrying out this process. The assemblies, which will be prepared in this proposal, will be based on self-assembly of multinuclear manganese centres, porphyrins and macromolecules.
Manganese complexes containing nitrogen and oxygen based ligands will be prepared and their self-assembly with amino porphyrins will be investigated. Particular attention will be paid to protonation/deprotonation processes of ligands, which may accompany the changes in redox state of the manganese centres and which may be used to stabilise the notoriously labile manganese complexes in different oxidation states. Self-organised assemblies incorporating macromolecules will also be studied. The polymers will be chosen so that they are capable of stabilising the manganese/porphyrin assemblies. The inclusion of other pigments that can act, as photosensitisers, such as ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, will also be considered. The most promising candidates will be optimised, their photophysical properties and their capacity for photoinduced water splitting will be studied.
The problem of water splitting is extremely challenging and an important one. A better understanding of the behaviour of water in biological systems is not only important for creating a better understanding on the function of the oxygen evolving centre, but since water participates in many other biological processes the results from such a study will have much wider applications.
Thème(s)
Appel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
Data not availableCoordinateur
Dublin 9
Irlande