The objective of this research is to continue this group's combined experimental and theoretical approach for the synthesis and detailed characterization of metallocenyl-containing porphyrinoids, and (aza)BODIPYs, which will provide a detailed understanding of factors influencing the metal-metal coupling as well as redox- and photoinduced electron-transfer processes in these systems. Understanding of through-bond and possible though-space interactions between donor (metallocene), antennae (porphyrinoid), and covalently or non-covalently linked acceptor (fullerenes, nanotubes, or graphene) is very important in chemistry and biology and can potentially lead to the fabrication of nanoscale-size functional materials with desired properties in a predetermined modular manner. This project centers on the design, characterization, and photophysical properties of new ferrocenyl-containing porphyrinoids and (aza)BODIPY-type systems, which are capable of covalent or non-covalent linking to fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, or graphene acceptors.
This group's research was featured on the MSI website in August 2014: Creating a New Fluorescent Dye