Molecular and Supramolecular Photochemistry

Northwestern University, Evanston IL

Investigators

Abstract

With this renewal award the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the continuing work of Dr. Frederick D. Lewis in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The research is based on earlier studies of the spectroscopy and photochemistry or organic molecules. The relationship between molecular structure and the behavior of electronic states will be explored in three different systems: 1) one-dimensional arrays of pi stacked poly(arylurea) chromophores, 2) aromatic amines, and 3) unsaturated aromatic molecules that undergo photochemical cyclization reactions. This research in the area of organic photochemistry involves synthesis, structural studies using NMR and x-ray crystallography, and studies of excited state behavior using a combination of spectroscopy, computational methods, and product isolation and characterization. The work is expected to provide excellent training for the students involved, and could lead to the development of organic materials with applications as wires and sensors.