1) We create and investigate complex dynamic networks
These studies are relevant for the creation of chemically driven molecular machines, for understanding how molecules become materials and for making supramolecular hosts adaptive and degradable.
2) We synthesize functional organic materials
This work is aimed at diverse applications ranging from catalysis and energy conversion to spintronics, hyperpolarization and quantum information science (typically with collaborators)
Complex dynamic networks
We drive organophosphates out of equilibrium without enzymes, which is one of the most challenging problems in systems chemistry. We explore new dynamic covalent reactions (e.g. orthoester exchange) and use privileged binding motifs (e.g. all-cis fluorinated cyclohexanes) to prepare functional molecules and materials.
Functional organic materials
We synthesize highly strained macrocycles and use confinement effects to achieve highly selective reactions inside the (chiral) nanohoop cavity. We design and synthesize mechanically interlocked materials and create luminescent molecular qubit systems.