Description of the thesis topic

Robust lanthanide complexes and their isotopologues for quantum information
Description of the project:
This project is part of a large research consortium which goal is to investigate molecules, in particular paramagnetic complexes, as possible spin qubits, and assess their potential for quantum computing. To do so, lanthanide ions will be chosen as they provide various electronic spin together with the possibility to tune the nuclear spin through isotopic replacements. The ligand environment will provide the correct symmetry and hence electronic structure, help minimize the detrimental influence of other nuclear spins in order to engineer systems with long coherence times. Trispyrazolylborate ligands like L offer such possibilities, together with large denticity and hence large stability constants allowing the necessary study of the complexes in diluted conditions. A first target is then a series of mononuclear complexes with isotopically pure lanthanide centers such as Nd(III), Yb(III) etc..
Through multistep organic synthesis such ligands can also be modified to target dinuclear complexes with various spacers (from L') and hence controlled interactions between the distant lanthanide centers in order to provide two qubits gates. Modification of the ligands to allow grafting on adapted matrices will also be investigated. In this PEPR research project (France 2030 program), the PhD candidate will develop skills in the multistep synthesis of organic ligands, their association with lanthanide ions and their stable isotopes, the study of their optical and magnetic properties, and will benefit from interactions with specialists in various spectroscopies, in theoretical chemistry, and in quantum information processes.
Candidate profile:
A motivated student with a very good knowledge in organic synthesis is required. Coordination chemistry skills together with interest for a multidisciplinary project going beyond chemistry will be appreciated. The University offers French courses for foreigners and hosts an international Erasmus Mundus program. Students will obtain their PhD degree within the 3 years of the financial support (starting date October 2025). Rennes is a medium size French city less one hour and half away from Paris, offering a relaxing life style with many cultural and sport activities.

Selected recent publications of the group related to the chemistry and isotopic enrichment developed in this project:
1) L. Norel, L. E. Darago, B. Le Guennic, K. Chakarawet, M. I. Gonzalez, J. H. Olshansky, S. Rigaut, J. R. Long, A Terminal Fluoride Ligand Genrates Axial Magnetic Anisotropy in Dysprosium Complexes, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 1933-1938.
2) J. Flores Gonzalez, F. Pointillart, O. Cador, Hyperfine coupling and slow magnetic relaxation in isotopically enriched DyIII mononuclear single-molecule magnets. Inorg. Chem. Front. 2019, 6, 1081-1086.
3) J. Flores Gonzalez, H. Douib, B. Le Guennic, F. Pointillart, O. Cador, Ytterbium-Centered Isotopic Enrichment Leading to a Zero-Field Single-Molecule Magnet, Inorg. Chem. 2021, 60, 540-544.
4) F. Pointillart, K. Bernot, B. Le Guennic, O. Cador, Isotopic enrichment in lanthanide coordination complexes: contribution to single-molecule magnets and spin qudit insights, Chem. Commun. 2023, 59, 8520-8531.

Main tasks
- Organic synthesis of poly(pyrazolylborate) ligands
- Design and elaboration of coordination complexes of lanthanides
- Crystallization of the molecular systems
- usual characterisation techniques

Second tasks
- Magnetic measurements on SQUID/PPMS
- Redaction of publications

Required know how
- Master/Ingeniering diploma in molecular materials or chemistry
- Deep knowledge in organic chemistry
- Coordination chemistry

Appreciated know how
- X-ray diffraction
- SQUID/PPMS magnetometry
- Oral presentation of the scientific results
- Redaction of articles

Soft skills
- Working team
- Supervision of students

Work Context

The Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes (ISCR) is a joint Research Department (UMR: Unité Mixte de Recherche) associating the CNRS (INC et INSIS), The Université de Rennes, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes (ENSCR) and the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Rennes (INSA de Rennes).

This Institute, founded in January 1st, 2006, gathers together all the academic forces in chemistry from the Rennes site. At the beginning of 2023, it brings together more than 280 permanent people, including approximately 140 assistant-professors and professors, 60 CNRS researchers and 80 engineers and technicians, at the Rennes Beaulieu, Rennes Villejean and Lannion IUT sites, leading to an overall workforce of more than 500 people. Its organisation in eight research teams of various sizes along with two administrative and scientific technical departments, makes it possible to combine effectively the scientific advantages of a structure covering a wide disciplinary field combined with a management supportive of everyone.
The research topcics mainly investigated in the ISCR are
a) Sustainable materials with environmentally friendly materials and processes
b) Energy conversion materials
c) Materials and molecules for the health field

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.