CHED 1199 |
| Photochemistry, or the study of molecular interactions with light, is particularly useful with supramolecules. Supramolecules undergo photoinduced electron transfer which allows a charge to move through the system when excited by light. Fullerenes, or carbon-60 molecules, are especially suited for this study because of their capability of absorbing visible light which can be used in molecular wires, light emitting diodes, and solar cells. Using fullerenes and other synthesized ligands as the “building blocks,” these supramolecules, to be used in photoelectric applications, can be created. The objective of this research is to expand the possibilities of our current fullerene research by developing and refining two new syntheses. The syntheses involve creating a hub molecule with which to link the other molecular groups, thus creating the supramolecule. Another application of the supramolecular concept is to create a molecular wire subunit which could then transfer electrons over a highly conjugated organic polymer. This unit will wrap around a metal center thus bringing the metal directly in line with the conjugated polymer backbone creating a polymer incorporating metals for the purpose of transferring energy. This project first requires the synthesis of a series of ligands followed by the incorporation of the transition metal. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Inorganic Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |