Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2003

Thesis Director

Mark E. McGuire

Abstract

TiO2-coated conducting glass electrodes can be modified by attachment of redox-active molecules to the TiO2 surface. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of a polypyridyl Ru(II) complex that can be covalently bound to a TiO2 surface through the carboxylate groups of 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4' -dicarboxylic acid, H2dcbpy. In addition, the bound complex contains a redox-active alloxazine derivative, pptd, which is capable of 2e-/2H+ transfers. Thus the TiO2-coated electrode is modified with a transition metal complex capable of shuttling H-atoms to substrates in solution. Synthesis of the PF6- salt of this complex, [RuII(H2dcbpy)2pptd](PF6)2, proved challenging due to the difficulties in obtaining starting materials of sufficient purity. Details of the efforts to purify these materials are included. UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, and electrochemical characterization of [RuII(H2dcbpy)2pptd](PF6)2, and its adsorption to TiO2 electrodes, are included in the thesis. In addition, several well-known reference compounds have been characterized for comparison purposes.

Download

Included in

Chemistry Commons

Share

COinS