SGER: Metathesis-Doped Polyacetylene

Syracuse University, Syracuse NY

Investigators

Abstract

Michael Sponsler, Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program for studies of "metathesis-doped polyacetylene". He is incorporating metathesis-active ruthenium compounds into films of polyacetylene to determine the electronic properties of conjugated organometallic structures. By capping polyacetylene oligomers with ruthenium compounds, long-chain ruthenapolyenes and diruthenapolyenes can be prepared in viscous solution and thin films, where they should be stable. The conductivity of these films will be measured and correlated with various structural parameters. In a related component of this research, modified ruthenium complexes will be used to make connections between nanoscale and macroscale electronic components. This Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) supports high risk/high impact research in molecular electronics and nanotechnology. This interdisciplinary project will also provide graduate and undergraduate students with training in these important areas.