Overview

The multiplicity of excited states in organic photochemistry is governed by electron spin and its interactions. Excited molecules most commonly occur in singlet or triplet states; interconversion between them and the resultant reactivity are controlled by spin-selection rules and the magnitude of spin–spin interactions. In particular, spin–orbit and exchange interactions affect the efficiency of intersystem crossing (ISC), spin-state mixing, and whether a given elementary step is spin-allowed.
Excited singlet states often have short lifetimes and a pronounced zwitterionic character, whereas triplet states, owing to their diradical nature, can also enable diffusion-controlled intermolecular processes. Crucially, however, it is the way spin interactions shape the energetics, accessibility, and selectivity of individual reaction channels that determines the outcome.
The aim of the project is to use spin as a control parameter: to design and study multiplicity-controlled (photo)reactions in which spin–spin interactions enable the reaction pathway, efficiency, and chemoselectivity to be tuned rationally, allowing targeted switching between alternative scenarios.

University:

Faculty of Science, Charles University

Group:

Tomáš Slanina Group, Redox Photochemistry

Tutor:

doc. RNDr. Tomáš Slanina, Ph.D.

Field of study:

Organic chemistry