With funding from the Organic Dynamics Program, Professor Siegel of the Department of Chemistry at the University of California--San Diego will investigate the chemistry of three nanomolecular morphologies. The focus of this work is the computational design, synthesis and characterization of Stem-Palmate Clusters, Entwined Networks of Cyclophanes, and Aromatic Shells and Curved Surfaces. Particular attention is to be paid to the stereochemical characteristics of the above systems. New synthetic materials developed in chemical laboratories range in size from a small (10 angstrom) molecules to very large compounds such as polymers that are 100 angstroms long. This investigation focuses on intermediate systems referred to as nanomolecules (10-100 angstoms). Computer aided design followed by synthesis will provide a myriad of molecular motifs that are useful in biosensors, optical materials and liquid crystals. The three dimensional character of these systems is of particular importance.
