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Chemistry Professor Demir's Article's Honored on Cover and Inside Front Cover

Front Cover of Chemical Science chosen from Dr. Demir's Lab
Inside Cover of Chemical Science chosen from Dr. Demir's Lab

Chemistry Professor Selvan Demir’s recent article was published by the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemical Science, and featured on the Inside Front Cover. The Demir Group focuses on organometallic chemistry of the lanthanides, actinides, and heavy p-block elements with an emphasis on synthesis, reactivity, spectroscopy, and magnetism. 

The universe scenery showcases key components of the article:

  • On the surface of the planet: the structure of the first rare earth metallocene featuring a bisbenzimidazole radical anion determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.
  • The first evidence for the radical nature of the bisbenzimidazole ligand bridge was accomplished by in-depth EPR spectroscopy, shown here through the readout of the unpaired spin by a spaceship producing an EPR spectrum. 
  • The cyclic voltammogram indicates electrochemical reduction of the molecule.
  • The magnet illustrates the potential of the bridge for molecular magnet design.
  • The diamagnetic yttrium ions allowed DFT and NMR studies, respectively.
Professor Selvan Demir (left) and group member Florian Benner (right)
Professor Selvan Demir (left) and group member Florian Benner (right)

This discovery introduces bisbenzimidazole radicals into coordination chemistry and the results on hand pave the way to novel functional conductive and magnetic materials containing rare earth metals. 

The research was carried out by graduate student Florian Benner and led by Prof. Selvan Demir.