Tautomerically Active Modules in Extended pi-Electron Systems

在这个由化学部大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助的项目中，佛罗里达大学的Ronald K. Castellano将合成和表征含有互变异构活性杂环构建块的pi共轭分子系统，最终可用于制造具有可调物理、化学、超分子和光电特性的材料。实验和理论研究将系统地探讨三种情况下互变异构与扩展pi-电子离域之间的相互作用：(1)融合多环芳烃环体系；(2)线性共轭结构；(3)超分子聚集体。该项目的更广泛影响包括培养研究生和本科生在多学科科学方面的能力，为他们未来的职业生涯做准备。参与该项目的学生还将作为研究生/本科生团队，与佛罗里达大学化学俱乐部一起，为佛罗里达州阿拉楚阿县周围的科学教室提供符合标准的实验模块。导电碳基（有机）分子和聚合物在实现高效、经济、广泛应用的电子和光学器件方面有着巨大的希望。本研究探索了一种制备具有可调或环境响应特性的这些材料的“可调”版本的一般方法。这些研究的结果可以促进高性能有机发光器件、太阳能电池和传感器的使用。

In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Ronald K. Castellano of the University of Florida will synthesize and characterize pi-conjugated molecular systems containing tautomerically active heterocyclic building blocks that ultimately could be used to create materials with tunable physical, chemical, supramolecular, and optoelectronic properties. Experimental and theoretical studies will systematically explore the interplay between tautomerism and extended pi-electron delocalization in three settings: (1) fused polycyclic aromatic ring systems; (2) linear pi-conjugated architectures; (3) supramolecular aggregates. The broader impacts of the project include training graduate and undergraduate students in multidisciplinary science in preparation for their future careers. The students involved in the project will also participate, as graduate/undergraduate teams and together with the University of Florida Chemistry Club, in the delivery of standards-aligned experimental modules to science classrooms around Alachua County, Florida. Electrically conducting carbon-based (organic) molecules and polymers hold enormous promise for realizing highly efficient, affordable, and broadly available electronic and optical devices. This research explores a general approach to prepare "adjustable" versions of these materials with tunable or environmentally responsive properties. The results of the studies could facilitate access to high performing organic light-emitting devices, solar cells, and sensors.