Solid state supramolecular studies of chiral nanographenes
Context
The TWISTAR project funded by the French National Research Agency span over 4 years (2020-2023) and puts together three teams of the Institute of Molecular Sciences in Marseille (iSm2) and the chirality pole of the Spectropole team from the Fédération Sciences Chimiques Marseille (FSCM). The project as a whole aims to provide detailed information on the scientific and technological potential of large highly distorted aromatic –or not– polycyclic hydrocarbons (three-dimensional nanographenes) using a global approach combining organic experimental synthetic chemistry and experimental and theoretical physical organic chemistry. These objects are also key candidates to go further than a study at their single molecular level and are ideal compounds to explore the chiral sensing at the supramolecular
level thanks to combined studies between single crystal X-ray diffraction and chiroptical spectroscopies. The engineer recruited on this project will join the consortium of researchers set up to carry out this methodological development aspect of the TWISTAR project.
Description of the work topic
The recruited engineer will carry out the different steps of the supramolecular studies at the crystallographic and chiroptical levels to develop new knowledge in the phenomenom of chirality induction. He/she will be in charge of the crystallization screening of the compounds of interest, exploring the polymorphism and co-crystals formation of various chiral polycyclic hydrocarbons (chemical and isotopic chirality). He/she will then characterize these systems by single crystal X-ray diffraction and, starting from a selection of the most relevant systems, he/she will study their solid state chiroptical properties by electronic and vibrational circular dischroism (CD: ECD/VCD) with the aim of linking the characteristics of the CD spectra to the supramolecular interactions within the crystal.
Additional information
Type of contract: FTC Technical / Administrative
Profile: a PhD in the field of solid state chemistry or in physicochemistry is required. The candidate must have a sound knowledge in at least 3 of the following 4 areas: molecular chirality, crystal structures, optical spectroscopy and theoretical chemistry. Scientific curiosity, the ability to think outside the box and a high degree of rigor will also be selection criteria. French and/or English will be the spoken language.
Supervisors: Drs. Michel Giorgi and Jean-Valère Naubron
Place: Spectropole D11, FSCM FR1739, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, campus st. Jérôme, 52 av. Escadrille Normandie-Niemen, 13013 Marseille, France
Starting date & contract duration: starting from 5 september 2022 for 12 months
Remuneration: 2536 to 2720,39 € gross monthly based on experience
