Convex Polycycles: Synthesis, Structure, and Chemistry of Heterotriquinanes

本研究计划是围绕杂原子，凸多环的合成和应用。该项目的主要目标是制备氮原子不对称的氮杂醌，用于手性H+或X+传递，生产一系列氮杂醌基过渡金属配体和主-客体体系，合成新系列的杂（O， S， P和/或B）三醌，三醌和接受烯，设计一个新的合成进入杂三醌环系统的环环。通过异三醌二聚和全合成来接近杂十二面体烷。这些研究将为研究人员在有机合成、配位化学、晶体学以及芳香性、应变、电子离域和分子结构的基本方面提供广泛的经验。在化学合成计划的支持下，加州大学戴维斯分校化学系的马克·马斯卡尔教授将探索曲面分子的本质——从凹面到半球形，再到完全封闭的多面体。对这些分子的研究回答了有关有机（碳基）材料电子结构的基本问题，也为实际应用提供了机会，特别是在纳米技术领域。该项目还为基础和应用化学合成方面的研究生和博士后提供了良好的培训基地。该计划的广泛影响包括通过美国化学学会SEED和加州大学戴维斯分校青年学者计划赞助K-12暑期研究项目，创新学生学习和评估实践的发展，参与促进环太平洋地区代表性不足群体参与的项目，以及加强本科实验课程中研究化学的相关性。最后，正在研究的弯曲和球形分子体的视觉冲击力和美丽的对称性，通过大众媒体和公共科学场所为其提供了额外的推广机会，从而提高了对技术艺术的欣赏。

This research program is based around the synthesis and applications of heteroatom-containing, convex polycycles. The principal goals of the project are to prepare azatriquinanes which are asymmetric at the nitrogen atom for applications to chiral H+ or X+ delivery, to produce a range of azatriquinane-based transition metal ligands and host-guest systems, to synthesize new series of hetero (O, S, P, and/or B) triquinanes, triquinacenes, and acepentalenes, to devise a new synthetic entry into the heterotriquinane ring system via cyclononatrione, and to approach heterododecahedranes both by heterotriquinacene dimerizations and by total synthesis. These investigations will provide the researchers with broad experience in organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, crystallography, and fundamental aspects of aromaticity, strain, electron delocalization, and molecular architecture.With the support of this award from the Chemical Synthesis Program, Professor Mark Mascal of the Department of Chemistry at the University of California Davis will explore the nature of molecules with curved surfaces -- from concave, to hemispherical, to completely closed-shell, polyhedral bodies. The study of such molecules answers fundamental questions regarding the electronic structure of organic (carbon-based) materials, and also presents opportunities for practical applications, particularly in the area of nanotechnology. This project also serves as an excellent training ground for graduate and postdoctoral researchers in fundamental and applied chemical synthesis. The broader impacts of this program include K-12 outreach by sponsoring summer research projects via the American Chemical Society SEED and UC Davis Youth Scholar Programs, the development of innovative student learning and assessment practices, involvement in programs which promote the participation of underrepresented groups in the Pacific Rim, and enhancing the relevance of research chemistry in undergraduate laboratory courses. Finally, the visual impact and beautiful symmetry of the curved and spherical molecular bodies being studied lends itself to additional outreach opportunities through the popular press and public science venues, and thereby a greater appreciation of the art of technology.