The focus of this research involves the synthesis of phenyl-acetylene polymeric structures based on dehydrobenzoannulenes (DBAs). The current targets are DBA macromolecules calculated to have core sizes in the nanometer regime. The synthetic plan utilizes a dendrimer- inspired modification of the cross-coupling/macrocyclization methodology used in the group. Further, a large number of annulenes will be prepared that contain topologies, symmetries and functional groups previously difficult to obtain. The nonlinear optical properties of all the DBAs will be determined as well. Finally, hetero-dienyne cyclizations will be used in an effort to prepare molecules with interesting biological properties.
With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research activities of Dr. Michael M. Haley in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Professor Haley will focus his work on developing methods for the synthesis of dehydrobenzoannulenes (DBAs), macrocycles designed for advanced materials applications. The project will have broader impacts in the area of student training at the undergraduate and graduate levels and could be of importance to the pharmaceutical industry and to materials science.
