Organic Radicals and Diradicaloid for Single-Molecule Electronics and Quantum Information Processing

Recent advancements in nanoscience have enabled the reliable and reproducible wiring of molecules into electrical circuits. In the last few years, organic radicals – molecules with unpaired electrons in their ground-state electronic structure – have emerged as potential candidates for molecular electronic applications in quantum information processing. We have pioneered the synthesis and characterisation of organic radicals as single molecule junctions (Angewandte Chemie 2022), demonstrating their unique promise, along with enhanced, non-ohmic/non-linear charge transport (Angewandte Chemie 2024), and with very interesting transistor-like behaviour. However, there are still challenges and unknowns that we want to tackle and explore.

With this project, we want to focus on non-Kekulé radicals: conjugated hydrocarbon that cannot be assigned a classical Kekulé structure. These materials are reactive and tend to decompose at room temperature, but we have developed several strategies towards the isolation of bench-stable derivatives which will be applied in this work.

Through this studentship, the successful candidate will:

• gain expertise in the synthesis of organic radicals, diradicals and radicaloids.

• contribute to the activities of a diverse research group operating at the boundary between chemistry and nanotechnology, ranging from advanced nanofabrication to cryogenic measurements, pioneering nanoscale characterisation and chemical synthesis.

• gain interdisciplinary experience by being involved in our collaborative network with partners from all corners of the world.

More information about the research, and further useful references can be found at https://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/~skeja.

Applications are encouraged from highly motivated candidates who have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry, or project-related disciplines (e.g. Materials Science). A background (e.g. master thesis or dissertation) in organic chemistry is desirable.

Applications are welcome all year round, and the position will be closed when suitable candidates are identified.

Informal enquiries are also encouraged and should be addressed to Prof. Andrea Vezzoli (andrea.vezzoli@liverpool.ac.uk)

Please ensure you include the project title and reference number CCPR138 for when applying.

Some teaching duties may be required.