Paola Ceroni - Böcker

With contributions from the most prominent experts around the world, this resource provides an accessible summary of electrochemical techniques and the applications of electrochemical concepts to molecular-level systems. It describes the most important electro-active functional supramolecular systems developed so far, including rotaxanes and catenanes as molecular machines and as elements for information processing; dendrimers as molecular batteries, sensors, light harvesting antennae, and drug delivery systems; and bio-hybrid devices.

Research on dendrimers has exploded in the last 15 years, moving from the establishment of synthetic methodologies, particularly in the early years up to the end of nineties, towards sophisticated and wide-ranging applications. Dendrimers play an important role in many different areas, spanning from basic synthetic approaches to artificial photosynthesis, to medicine, to catalysis. The great potential of dendrimers is well-recognized by the hundreds of papers in the field and the increasing number of patents, and stimulated developments in other areas of knowledge, including new characterization techniques. However, some basic principles and methods still continue to give a unity to the field. Although several books on dendrimers have been published during these 15 years, the very recent progresses in new areas now requires a new point of view, trying to give a unifying and comprehensive outlook of the field. Since the first dendrimer was synthesized by Vögtle in 1978, dendrimers have experienced an explosion of scientific interest because of their unique molecular architecture. This resulted in over 5,000 scientific papers and patents published by the end of 2005. The proposed book will cover both fundamental and applicative aspects of dendrimer research. Chapters devoted to basic principles, synthetic methods and strategies, and advanced characterization techniques will be integrated by chapters illustrating the full potential of dendrimers in various fields, like artificial photosynthesis, multi-redox pool systems, diagnostics, biomedical and sensing purposes, design of functional nanostructures. Particular emphasis will be devoted to possible future developments.

Connects principles, processes, and experimental techniques with current research in the continuously expanding field of photochemistry and photophysics Photochemistry and Photophysics covers a wide spectrum of concepts in photochemistry and photophysics, introducing principles, processes, and experimental techniques, with a wealth of examples of current applications and research spanning natural photosynthesis, photomedicine, photochromism, luminescent sensors, energy conversion and storage, and sustainability issues. In this Second Edition, several chapters have been revised considerably and others have been almost entirely rewritten. A number of schemes and figures have been added, and the reference list at the end of each chapter has been extended and updated. Clearly structured, the first part of the text discusses the formation, properties, and reactivity of excited states of inorganic and organic molecules and supramolecular species, and the second part focuses on photochemical and photophysical processes in natural and artificial systems. Readers will learn how photochemical and photophysical processes can be exploited for novel, unusual, and unexpected applications. Written by world-renowned experts in the field, Photochemistry and Photophysics includes information on: Formation, electronic structure, properties, chemical reactivity, and radiative and nonradiative decay of electronically excited statesFundamental concepts and theoretical approaches concerning energy transfer and electron transferPeculiar light absorption/emission spectra and the photochemical properties of the various families of organic molecules and metal complexesEquipment, techniques, procedures, and reference data concerning photochemical and photophysical experiments, including warnings to avoid mistakes and misinterpretationsRelationships between photochemical, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of molecules that enable interconversion between light and chemical energyWith an appropriate mix of introductory, intermediate, and advanced content, this is an ideal textbook resource for related undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The text is also valuable for scientists already active in photochemical and photophysical research who will find helpful suggestions to undertake novel scientific projects.

The Exploration of Supramolecular Systems and Nanostructures by Photochemical Techniques provides a comprehensive view of the most commonly used photochemical and photophysical techniques and their applications to the study of supramolecular systems. Optical inputs are extremely powerful in the study of nanostructures since they can be used both to “read” the state of the system and to provide it energy to work.After a brief introduction to the realm of photochemistry, electronically excited state formation and the different pathways of excited state deactivation, the book focuses on the theoretical basis and the practical aspects related to the most widely used photophysical and photochemical techniques, from absorption to time-resolved emission techniques with polarized light. Each chapter illustrates an example of the application of that particular technique to the study of a supramolecular system.The Exploration of Supramolecular Systems and Nanostructures by Photochemical Techniques not only discusses the latest advances of the field of supramolecular photochemistry but it also offers technical and operative details useful in the laboratory. It is therefore suitable for both the novice and the expert.