Research Interests:
Our current research focus involves the photochemistry and photophysics of metal-organic chromophores, where the proper combination of metal complex and organic subunit(s) yield new luminescent molecules or assemblies with distinct properties and potentially useful functions. Most of the chromophores of interest are centered around copper(I), platinum(II), ruthenium(II), and osmium(II) coordination and organometallic complexes. From the fundamental perspective, we are interested in the interplay of closely-lying excited states and the influence these interactions have on the resulting photophysics. These processes are investigated with a battery of static and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques, the latter revealing excited state dynamics evolving from the femtosecond regime to milliseconds. We have recently developed photochemical schemes, which result in low power photon upconversion; wavelength shifting incident light to higher energy. This approach also provides a means to access traditional ultraviolet-driven photochemical reactions using visible photons. We are intensively investigating a variety of alternative energy-relevant projects including next generation photovoltaic materials, photocatalytic solar fuels production, and water splitting photochemistry. Photoinduced electron transfer at the molecule/semiconductor interface represents an important facet of these inquiries. A more recent endeavor features molecular structures possessing intimate d8-d8 metal-metal interactions for in-depth studies of intramolecular excited state bond formation in addition to photo-initiated electron and energy transfer chemistry.
Selected Publications:
Metal Coordination Induced π-Extension and Triplet State Production in Diketopyrrolopyrrole Chromophores. McCusker, C.E.; Hablot, D.; Ziessel, R.; Castellano, F.N. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 7957-7959.
Ligand Localized Triplet State Photophysics in a Platinum(II) Terpyridyl Perylenediimideacetylide. Prusakova, V.; McCusker, C.E.; Castellano, F.N. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 8589−8598.
Dondorff Rings: Synthesis, Isolation, and Properties of 60º Bisterpyridine-based Folded Tetramers. Schultz, A.; Li, X.; McCusker, C.E.; Moorefield, C.N.; Castellano, F.N.; Wesdemiotis, C.; Newkome, G.R. Chem. Eur. J. 2012, 18, ASAP.
Spectroscopy and Photophysics in Cyclometalated Ru(II) Bis(Bipyridyl) Complexes. Muro-Small, M.L.; Yarnell, J.E.; McCusker, C.E.; Castellano, F.N. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2012, ASAP.
Transition Metal Complexes Meet the Rylenes. Castellano, F.N. Dalton Trans. 2012, 41, 8493 – 8501. (Invited Perspective) Top 10 most downloaded articles in June 2012.
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