High Energy Routes to Strained Molecules and Reactive Intermediates

约翰逊教授和他的学生将研究微波闪蒸热解（MFP），这是一种由UNH开发的方法。MFP方法将微波合成化学的范围大大扩展到高温区；这项研究将导致发现新的高能化学反应，并对固体表面上微波诱导的化学反应有更深入的了解。石墨、碳纳米管和其他材料的化学功能化也将通过MFP方法进行探索。本课程将研究周环反应的各个方面，以理论指导实验研究。周环反应通常用于制造或破坏分子环。在这个项目中，涉及异常应变和活性环的脱氢周环反应的新概念将作为发现新化学过程的基础。在这个项目的另一个组成部分，臭氧与羰基化合物的反应将被研究。臭氧是一种高活性和寿命短的物质。计划中的研究将导致对大气臭氧化学的新认识，并可能在有机合成中有应用。在与康涅狄格大学的William Bailey教授的合作项目中，PI和他的学生将创建类碳反应的计算模型，探索机制和立体化学的关键方面。本研究发现的新反应、新方法和新材料将在有机合成和材料科学领域具有广泛的应用前景。计划研究将作为研究生和本科生的专业训练。除了这项研究之外，约翰逊教授还将开发一项外展计划，帮助高中教师利用计算机分子建模来提高他们的化学课程。

Professor Johnson and his students will investigate microwave flash pyrolysis (MFP), a method developed at UNH. The MFP method greatly extends the range of microwave synthetic chemistry into high temperature regimes; this research will lead to the discovery of new high-energy chemical reactions and a greater understanding of microwave-induced chemical reactions on solid surfaces. Chemical functionalization of graphite, carbon nanotubes and other materials by MFP methods will also be explored. Diverse aspects of pericyclic reactions will be studied, using theory to guide experimental studies. Pericyclic reactions have been commonly applied to make or break molecular rings. In this project, the novel concept of dehydro pericyclic reactions, which involve unusually strained and reactive rings, will serve as a basis for the discovery of new chemical processes. In one additional component of this project, the reactions of ozone with carbonyl compounds will be investigated. Ozone is a highly reactive and short-lived substance. Planned research will lead to new understanding of atmospheric ozone chemistry, and may have applications in organic synthesis. In a collaborative project with Professor William Bailey at the University of Connecticut, the PI and his students will create computational models for carbenoid reactions, probing critical aspects of mechanism and stereochemistry. New reactions, methods and materials discovered in this work will have broad applications in organic synthesis and materials science. Planned research will serve as professional training for graduate and undergraduate students. In addition to this research, Professor Johnson will develop an outreach program to help high school teachers enhance their chemistry curriculum with computer molecular modeling.