| Abstrakt: |
The theoretical aspects of the mechanism of the motion of cations and ligands in molecular machines referred to as redox switches are presented. The interrelated properties of cations—the energetic, electrochemical, spectral, and magnetic properties; their propensity to form either covalent or ionic bonds; and the relative softness and hardness of cations and ligands—stimulate molecular motion. These properties determine the thermal stability and stability to destruction caused by electrochemical processes and, eventually, the maximal number of transformation cycles. The maximal efficiency of redox switches is attained when the redox reaction involves a cation with a half-filled ( d 5, f 7) or complete ( d 10, f 14) electronic shell. The role of the Jahn-Teller effect is considered: it is responsible for geometry distortion, which stimulates cation motion. The properties of nd and 4 f cations are compared from the standpoint of their use for designing redox switches. In switches constructed on the basis of supramolecular compounds containing hard and soft moieties, softer cations (Fe2+, Co2+, Cu+, etc.) prefer to coordinate to soft ligands and harder cations (Fe3+, Co3+, Cu2+, etc.) prefer to coordinate to hard ligands. A cation moves due to the soft-hard change of its coordination sphere in the course of the redox reaction. Design of redox switches based on solid compounds with a cation in mixed oxidation state is shown to be promising. Cations can change their oxidation state with a change in temperature or pressure. The possibility of designing “magnetic switches” is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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