Publications [#328052] of Michael J. Therien

Papers Published

1. Wang, R; Brugh, AM; Rawson, J; Therien, MJ; Forbes, MDE, Alkyne-Bridged Multi[Copper(II) Porphyrin] Structures: Nuances of Orbital Symmetry in Long-Range, Through-Bond Mediated, Isotropic Spin Exchange Interactions., Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 139 no. 29 (July, 2017), pp. 9759-9762 [doi]
   (last updated on 2024/04/18)

   Abstract:
   Spin and conformational dynamics in symmetric alkyne-bridged multi[copper(II) porphyrin] structures have been studied in toluene solution at variable temperature using steady-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Comparison of the dimer EPR spectra to those of Cu porphyrin monomers shows evidence of an isotropic exchange interaction (J_avg) in these biradicaloid structures, manifested by a significant line broadening in the dimer spectra. The extent line broadening depends on molecular structure and temperature, suggesting J_avg is modulated by conformational dynamics that impact the torsional angle distribution between the porphyrin-porphyrin least-squares planes. Computational simulation of the experimental EPR spectra, using a developed algorithm for J modulation in flexible organic biradicals, supports this hypothesis. Comparison of ethyne and butadiyne alkyne bridges reveals remarkable sensitivity to orbital interactions between the spacer and the metal, reflected in measurements of J_avg as a function of temperature. The results suggest orbital symmetry relationships may be more important than recognized in design of optimized molecular spintronic devices.