CAREER: New horizons in Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry of Azulene: A Combined Synthetic, Spectroscopic, Structural, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Investigation

这个由无机，生物无机和有机物化学计划颁发的职业奖支持堪萨斯大学化学系Mikhail Barybin教授的研究和教育活动，以开发将电子不寻常的azulenic基序（一种涉及稠合5-和7-元碳环的非苯型芳族框架）纳入分子和超分子混合金属/有机系综的合理策略。 本研究采用多方面的方法来了解一类新的azulenic衍生物（即isocyanoazulenes）的化学反应性和物理性质，最终目标是设计适合开发独特的azulene基液晶和一维电荷传输材料的合奏。 金属介晶的发展（即，含金属的液晶）将提供新的和更有成本效益的平台，用于制造目前具有实质性基础和商业利益的含甘菊环的液晶器件。 该项目还将为改善与分子电子学和纳米技术应用相关的混合金属-有机体系中的电子离域提供新的策略。 该项目的综合教育部分旨在促进本科生尽早参与化学研究。 为此，将制定和实施一项包括社区外展方面的新生级荣誉化学实验室创新课程。 本课程将为学生提供机会，以更好地控制他们的实验室调查的设计和实施，并将鼓励本科生进入化学研究以及在他们的大四之前，通过培养学生的参与和智力和技术技能。

This CAREER award by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports research and educational activities of Professor Mikhail Barybin of the Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas to develop rational strategies for incorporating the electronically unusual azulenic motif (a nonbenzenoid aromatic framework involving fused 5- and 7-membered carbon rings) into molecular and supramolecular hybrid metal/organic ensembles. This research undertakes a multifaceted approach to understand chemical reactivity and physical properties of a new class of azulenic derivatives, namely isocyanoazulenes, with the ultimate goal of designing ensembles suitable for developing unique azulene-based liquid crystals and one-dimensional charge transport materials. The development of metallomesogens (i.e., metal-containing liquid crystals) based on the 2,6-azulenic scaffold will deliver new and more cost-efficient platforms for fabricating azulene-containing liquid crystal devices, which are currently of substantial fundamental and commercial interest. The project will also provide new strategies for improving electron delocalization in the hybrid metal-organic systems relevant to applications in molecular electronics and nanotechnology. The integrated educational component of the project is aimed at promoting early involvement of undergraduate students in chemistry research. To this end, an innovative curriculum for freshmen level Honors Chemistry Laboratory that includes community outreach aspects will be developed and implemented. This course will provide opportunities for students to take greater control over the design and implementation of their laboratory investigations and will encourage undergraduates into chemistry research well before their senior year by fostering student engagement and both intellectual and technological skills.