Synthesis, analysis and characterization of novel peripherally modified diruthenium paddlewheel complexes
Abstract
The ability of molecules to conduct electricity has been an area of tremendous interest for many years. Specifically, the search for molecular wires that are stable and possess a significant ability to conduct electrical current is yet a great field of interest. Molecular wires may prove valuable for various small-scale processes including applications in molecular electronics as well as biologically sensitive detection procedures. Dinuclear metal complexes have been major players in this realm of research, with many such compounds possessing interesting redox capabilities. Dinuclear compounds that are conjugated along their axial plane make up a large family of well-known molecular wires with a range of donor-acceptor (source-drain) potential. The development of equally competent (or superior) molecular wires that are modified along their equatorial plane is less well known. My research focuses on synthesizing diruthenium paddlewheel complexes that are modified along their equatorial plane to evaluate their ability to modulate electronic charge. My research also investigates the possibility of synthesizing superior DNA biosensors by coupling peripherally modified diruthenium paddlewheel complexes to nucleotides. Synthetic methods employed to synthesize the compounds outlined in these chapters range from simple reflux to Sonogashira cross-coupling. There are various ways to measure the ability of a molecule to transfer electrons. The techniques used in this research to analyze the synthesized compounds include electrochemistry (cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry), UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. It is clear from the results of this research that electronic communication can occur through diruthenium paddlewheel complexes along the equatorial axis of such compounds. The results of this research also indicate that although both ferrocene and diruthenium complexes have very prominent redox capabilities, bridging diruthenium compounds along their periphery with 1,1’-ferrocene dicarboxylate does not promote communication between the Ru2 centers via ferrocene. Finally, this research documents the efforts and struggles I had coupling nucleotides to Ru2 compounds.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Ren, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Inorganic chemistry
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