Designing organic molecules as platforms for reversible charge-to-spin conversion with applications in chromophore optimisation and drug discovery
Chemistry and Biology are governed by molecules and how they interact. Crucially, what glues a molecule together are chemical bonds, made from atoms pairing all their electrons. Although preferred, this is not the only option: in...
Chemistry and Biology are governed by molecules and how they interact. Crucially, what glues a molecule together are chemical bonds, made from atoms pairing all their electrons. Although preferred, this is not the only option: in the comparatively rare cases where a molecule presents unpaired electrons, it acquires a fascinating new status that transforms its chemical and biological properties, best described by the acutely apt name of radical. Despite the extraordinary toolset found in radical-bearing molecules, the rather demanding methods to radical formation currently available mean that only very specific molecular architectures can withstand them, inadvertently limiting the scope of their applicability.
The aim of this ERC project is to show that reversible diradical formation upon deprotonation is prevalent, and yet unexplored, in general donor-acceptor organic molecules and use this new knowledge to develop novel design criteria in light-emitting molecules and drug discovery.
To achieve this unique aim, I will exploit a widespread structural pattern in a novel way, enabling a molecule to reversibly convert its charge and spin and become a diradical. I will first characterise how different molecular constituents (un)favour diradical formation on isolated molecules. I will then establish, for the first time, the role that diradicals play in defining the function of the numerous bioactive molecules sharing the proposed structural pattern.
By exposing the overlooked diradical character in general families of deprotonated organic molecules, I will deliver transformative mechanistic understanding on i) the photo physical properties of fluorescent proteins and ii) the reactivity of small molecule drugs, particularly a new class of covalent inhibitors. The field of organic radicals sits at a critical crossroads between Chemistry and Biology, and as such, taking it a step forward has the potential to cross-pollinate research fields and reshape research frontiers.ver más
20-09-2024:
Industrias Agroalimentarias
Se ha cerrado la línea de ayuda pública: Ayudas 2024 para Inversiones en Industrias Agroalimentarias, Decreto 87/2024 Extremadura para el organismo:
20-09-2024:
INNOVA-ADELANTE
Se ha cerrado la línea de ayuda pública: Programa de apoyo a la innovación Castilla-La Mancha para el organismo:
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