Chemicals create magnets of light that remain active for hours

A research team from the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague) and the Institute of Organic and Biochemistry Chemistry of the Academy of Czech Sciences (IOCB Prague) have created and described a new type of Photoswitch. The molecule, an acylhydrazone based onhienil, is subjected to an unprecedented transformation of “closed peel”, where light makes it a stable dirt.

Although the previously published lives of such triplet states are a few milliseconds, the state changed from this new molecule has a half -life of more than six hours. This revolutionary innovation opens the way to optimize catalytic processes, develop new data storage devices and espintronic devices, and the directed elimination of antibiotic -resistant pathogens. The work is published in it Journal of Materials Chemistry C.

The photos are molecules that change between two states under the influence of light. This new switch is unique because it goes from a stable and non -magnetic state (with closed layers) to an exceptionally long -term magnetic state (open peel triplet). In this triplet state, two electrons have parallel turns, which makes the paramagnetic and highly reactive molecule. This state is crucial for many photochemical processes, including the generation of reactive oxygen species.

“While it is known and described above in the literature that, in the molecules, this hard state in the order of Nano to milliseconds, in the case of our change, persists for tens of hours, which is extraordinary,” explains the head of the investigation, Pet Kovaříček of UCT Prague Prague, and added that his doctoral student, Martin Štek, made a consolation of Petr. Kovaří. In addition, the team could not have succeeded without the expert skills of Dana Nachtigalová and Ján Tarabek from Iocb Prague.

Innovation has several immediate applications. In catalysis, the team showed that the reproduced form acts as a powerful radical initiator, successfully promoting the radical bromation of Toluene. For data storage and espintronics, the molecule forms a complete writing writing system.

“The state of the triplet is paramagnetic, which allows the information ‘written’ with light ‘, read’ magnetically,” says Dr. Kovaříček. The scientific document also reveals a third crucial step: information can be deleted completely and instantly by an electrical impulse.

“A long -lasting triplet state is really surprising. For a long time I did not even consider it possible and rejected this explanation,” he says, explaining why the article is the result of three years of intensive experimental work. “To convince the editors and reviewers of this was also a colossal task.”

The most promising application of the equipment is the photodynamic inactivation of pathogens. “Our new molecules can, after being irradiated with the light, generate reactive oxygen species, the so -called Ros, which effectively destroy a range of fungi and bacteria resistant to antibiotics, including golden staphylism (Staphylococcus aureus) and the selected pathogens of the WHO list,” says Dr. Kovaří.

“Ros are extremely effective: they eliminate more than 99.99% of the cells, but only when we shine the light. This is key to the safety of medical application, which of course must be verified in subsequent studies.”

An important advantage of recently synthesized molecules is its exceptionally low and simple production production: on a laboratory scale, one kilogram costs approximately 1,000 check crowns (around $ 43 USD).

The idea for medical use was a fortuitous discovery. A degree student who tested the molecules in a biological environment discovered that they destroyed the DNA of the sample with surprising efficiency, revealing a new and powerful weapon against microorganisms. In collaboration with Dr. Lencová of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, teams are already preparing a new project to pursue this goal.