ULTRAFAST DYNAMICS IN NITRO- AND (ORGANOPHOSPHINE)GOLD(I)-POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

The light-induced relaxation pathways of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives were studied using broadband transient absorption with femtosecond (10^-15 s) time resolution, steady-state Xe-lamp irradiation, UV/Vis spectroscopy and HPLC methods. Ground- and excited-state calculations were performed to help interpret the experimental results. Two types of PAH derivatives were chosen for this research: those substituted with nitro groups and those with gold(I) phosphine groups. In both families of PAH investigated the triplet state is populated in high yield following excitation by UV light. The population of the triplet states occurs ultrafast, with lifetimes in the hundreds of femtoseconds in most cases. Kinetic mechanisms explaining the excited-state dynamics and photochemistry of these molecules are proposed. The experimental findings are reinforced with ground- and excited-state calculations at the density functional level of theory.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Vogt, Robert Aaron

Contributors dc:contributor

• Crespo-Hernández, Carlos
• Scherson, Daniel

• Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1363168243

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1363168243