Photochromism transition-metal based

Figure 25.2 Some examples of transition-metal based photochromic compounds.

In this chapter, crystalline-state photochromic dynamics of rhodium dithionite complexes are reviewed. The chemistries described here have been achieved not only by recent developments of the analytical technique but also by discovery of a new class of transition-metal based photochromic compounds. One of the advantages of transition-metal complexes is structural diversity. In order to find the rule of an exquisite combination of metal ions and ligands, we are currently synthesizing various dithionite derivatives with other metal ions and/or modified Cp ligands. As shown in this chapter, dithionite complexes are a very useful photochromic system to investigate crystalline-state reaction dynamics. We believe that dynamics studies of newly synthesized dithionite derivatives provide useful insight into the construction of sophisticated molecular switches. A dithionite complex may appear in a practical application field in the near future. 

Jonathan P. Moerdyk is a PhD candidate from the University of Texas at Austin in the research group of Prof. Christopher W. Bielawski. He received his BS degree in chemistry from Hope College in 2009, where he conducted research under Prof. Jason G. Gillmore on the development of novel photochromic photooxidants for optical and materials applications. His current research interests include the tuning of nucleophilic carbene scaffolds and the development of carbene-supported transition metal-based catalysts. 

He, T., Yao, J. (2006). Photochromism in composite and hybrid materials based on transition-metal oxides and polyoxometalates. Progress in Materials Science, 51, 810-879. http //dx.doi.Org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2005.12.001. 

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