With the support of the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor Thomas J. Katz, of the Department of Chemistry at Colmbia University, explores the synthesis and self-assembly of helical conjugated molecules. Professor Katz is exploring the self-assembly of helicenes into multimolecular aggregates of corkscrew-like structure. These materials, which spontaneously organize in the form of fibers, display an astonishing ability to rotate the plane of polarization of plane polarized light. Through development and exploitation of new and versatile techniques for the synthesis of helicenes, Professor Katz addresses the factors responsible for the aggregation of helical conjugated molecules and the maximization of the rotatory power of these aggregates, as well as the influence of aggregation on the circular dichroism, optical activity, and morphologies of these materials. Although `aromatic` compounds are typically planar, chemical synthesis can be used to prepare aromatic structures which are more stable in a helical conformation. The synthesis and properties of such `helicenes` are studied by Professor Thomas J. Katz, of the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University, with the support of the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program. Professor Katz is exploring the self-assembly of helicenes into multimolecular aggregates of corkscrew-like structure, which are found to assemble spontaneously in the form of fibers. These materials display unusual properties, including a remarkable ability to alter the orientation of light which is polarized in a single plane. Through the synthesis of derivatives of the helicenes bearing a variety of groups, Professor Katz explores the fundamental factors controlling their chemistry and physical properties as well as their use in the fabrication of new materials displaying new, unusual, and significant properties.
