Synthesis of an electron deficient molecular rectifier

CHED 333

Tiffany J. Fogg, tjfogg01@uncfsu.edu and Darren L. Pearson, dpearson@uncfsu.edu. Department of Natural Sciences, Fayetteville State University, P.O. Box 14911, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Described in this research is the synthesis of an electron deficient organic molecular rectifier. A rectifier is a device that allows for the conduction of electricity in only one direction. In the synthesis of the molecular rectifier, the central phenyl unit will have electron withdrawing ester groups attached. The attachment of the electron withdrawing groups will allow tuning of the organic molecule's highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels with metal electrodes. Methyl and ethyl esters will serve as the electron withdrawing groups. The central phenyl unit will be coupled to terminal phenylthioacetate endgroups using a palladium/copper cross-coupling reaction. The thioacetate endgroups will allow for the formation of self-assembled monolayers onto gold surfaces once the acetate protecting groups are removed. Once these molecules are assembled, they will be further tested to qualify the molecule's rectification properties.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, 27 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- Ex. Hall B4, Poster

Sci-Mix: LSAMP/REU Poster Session
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 27 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- Ex. Hall B4, Sci-Mix

Division of Chemical Education

The 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006