Molecular Atoms (Heterospherophanes)

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This award, part of the Materials Chemistry and Chemical Processing Initiative, will support the collaborative research of Dr. F. Wudl and Dr. P. Pincus at the Univeristy of California at Santa Barbara. The research will focus on the preparation, characterization and theoretical studies of rigid carbon-heteroatom clusters (heterospherophanes). The grant is a joint action of the Divisions of Materials Research (Solid-State Chemistry) and Chemistry (Organic Synthesis). Heterospherophanes will be hollow molecular spheres consisting of alternating benzene rings and heteroatoms such as chalcogen or nitrogen. The heteroatoms within each cluster will be located, relative to each other, in a cubic closest packed lattice. The diameter of the sphere's cavity will depend on the nature of the heteroatom. Due to the high symmetry, electronic character and structural design of these clusters, they will exhibit unusual condensed matter properties depending on whether they are neutral or charged. The neutral heterospherophanes are likely to be hard, high-melting solids. The charged heterospherophanes will be capable of encapsulating a countercation, producing an atom of macromolecular dimensions. The encapsulated counterion should also allow the formation of three dimensional organic metals.