Electronically Labile Molecules: Molecular Switches Based on Verdazyl Radicals

San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA

Contact : fabrice.thomasuniv-grenoble-alpes.fr (Fabrice Thomas)

Abstract : Electronically labile molecules are those in which the electronic structure is very sensitive to the molecular environment. Such molecules can typically switch between states that exhibit different electronic distributions and spin multiplicity. Changes in the environment can result in dramatic changes in magnetic properties and molecular geometry; in particular, the ability to switch individual molecules between electronic states has the potential to provide a way to store information at the molecular level. We are studying a series of electronically labile molecules based on an organic free radical component and transition metals. The presentation will discuss a variety of systems we have studied over the past twenty years which include examples where magnetic properties are influenced by proton transfer and electron transfer, as well as crystal packing and temperature.