Hygroscopic Coordination Polymer as “model-substance” for water molecule study

The ability to isolate a single molecule of water offers the unique opportunity of studying its fundamental quantum behaviour. Water exists as two distinct nuclear-spin isomers, para- and ortho-water. Understanding the mechanism of conversion between these two types of water is an important area of research. Moreover, the coherent quantum rotation dynamics of isolated water molecules could be exploited for future quantum technologies. We have synthesised the coordination polymer [Cu(pz)2·H2O]n which enables an easy and reversible way of absorbing and separating individual water molecules within its structure. We propose to study the quantum rotations, molecular vibrations and para-ortho transitions using MARI spectrometer. This study will allow to investigate the study of water molecule vibrations and quantum rotations when not involved in hydrogen bonds.