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Courses:
Dr. Spencer J. Slattery, Ph.D. Professor & Department Chair Office: 2136 TLC , Lab: 2107 TLC 678-839-6550
Education:
Research Interests:
Transition metal molecules are essential components in fundamental biological processes such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, as well as in a variety of enzymatic activity. They are the backbone of catalytic process which can be utilized in not only the biological sense, but also in light harvesting systems, fuel cells, and molecular electronics. What's particularly key about these molecules and what triggers the specific behavior necessary in these various processes, however, is the structural position which surrounds the metal. The coordinated molecules (ligands) are active players in dictating the characteristic behavior of the metal center. Our lab has previously observed regulated redox and spin state properties due to systematic inductive and steric modifications of the coordinated ligands on monometallic first row transition metal complexes. We have also synthesized novel ligands which contain an ionizable proton site in order to study proton coupled electron transfer behavior in first and second row transition metal complexes. Utilizing this knowledge, my current research directive has become multifaceted. One, we want to develop first row metal complexes which utilize these novel ligands in order to reversibly manipulate spin transition by the loss/gain of an acidic hydrogen. Secondly, we are studying the extent that ligand substituent inductive effects influence the absorbance and fluorescing properties of chromium systems. In addition, we are also developing novel bridging ligands with ionizable proton sites which will be used to link first row transition metals, to study the extent of spin-spin coupling between the metal centers, as well as how the coupling properties can be regulated via subtle changes in the bridge structure. The ionizable proton sites may likewise act as a 'switching' mechanism in the extent that the ligand acts as an extension of the metal orbitals, thereby, shifting the nature of coupling, or communication, between the metals by reversible protonation/deprotonation. Understanding and being able to regulate these systems provide valuable insight for design in molecular electronics, more specifically molecular switches as well as in multi-electron/proton catalysis. |
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