Physical Organic Chemistry of Materials: Probing Structure-Reactivity and Demonstrating Application

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The aim of this program is to address fundamental aspects of interfacial organic reactions and utilize the knowledge gained to design and synthesize new materials and to demonstrate potential applications. Reactions of molecules in solution are supported by a well developed intuition and set of methods from physical organic chemistry, but the reactions of molecules at the solid-liquid or solid-solid interface are not as well understood because they often behave in ways that are very different from those in solution. We are addressing these issues by examining photoinduced, redox activated and thermal reactivity in terms of chemical properties (structure-reactivity relationships, conformational and orientation mobility) and physical properties (structure, order-disorder phenomena, reaction conditions). In many cases the photoactive or electroactive moiety also serves as an analytical sensor/reporter of the chemistry. Furthermore, the reactions we discovery provide new platforms for selective surface modifications to build new architectures. A complete understanding of these factors is essential for the rationale design and control of any modified surface for a particular application. The importance and motivation behind these studies lies in the recognition of the utility of organic thin films on functional materials in the development of molecular and biomolecular electronics, sensors, catalysis and other applications. Personnel working on these projects gain expertise and broad training in organic synthetic methods and analysis, inorganic and organic materials chemistry and the specialized techniques for their characterization, in addition to advanced skills in electrochemistry and photochemistry. Graduate students and research associates involved in HQP from my group have had a 100% professional placement over the last 17 years.