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Murphy, Kyle Everett

Chemistry

2020

Ph. D.

In nature, shape defines function, and as such scientists have long since attempted to mimic nature in a pursuit to reach a similar level of fidelity. Complex macromolecular structures and shapes have been developed with interesting and unique functionalities--such as the design and synthesis of molecular machines. However, macromolecular structures such as these are difficult to synthesize. My work in the Schneebeli group builds upon this challenge, where I have developed a strategy to precisely control the shape of macromolecules to generate well-defined structures. This was accomplished with stereoisomerically pure triptycene-like derivatives as the building block pieces which have an inherent three-dimensional scaffold. With my own developed methodology by which they can be exactly functionalized, these building blocks can then couple together in a unique fashion not unlike Lego pieces. This synthetic technology leads to controlled growth of a molecular structure with precisely predictable shapes. In particular, my work involves the generation of short molecular strips, both linear and with a helical bend, as well as ladder polymer molecular helices of different pitches, which were probed for their spring-like motions. The development of these three-dimensional building blocks, their affinity for coupling in a controllable fashion, and their ability to be functionalized with through-space directed aromatic nitration methodology, laid the foundation for much of the research in the Schneebeli group related to chirality-assisted synthesis (CAS).