This Research Planning Grant project is concerned with the chemistry of redox dependent hydrogen bonding. As such, there are potential applications in materials chemistry and in analytical chemistry. The work will be carried out by Dr. Diane K. Smith and her students at San Diego State University. The project is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program and the Special Projects Office in the Chemistry Division. Since hydrogen bonds have substantial electrostatic character, the change in charge produced by a redox reaction can substantially affect the strength of a hydrogen bond involving an atom at the charge site The goals of this research are to identify donor-acceptor pairs which fit this description, and to exploit the findings in a number of ways including new approaches to derivitization reactions on electrode surfaces, the use of electrocrystallization for self assembly on electrode surfaces, and control of the liquid crystal film character of a surface film. Among the aims of these investigations are sensor development, control of supramolecular structure, and redox controlled filtration systems. This research seeks ways to control the strength of hydrogen bonding by manipulating the charge on one of the atoms involved in the hydrogen bond. The PI will use oxidation-reduction reactions to accomplish the change in charge. By focusing on chemistry at surfaces, it may be possible to develop devices and materials whose properties can be rapidly changed by simple changes in oxidation state. This would lead to a number of possible applications in analytical and materials chemistry.
