Design of a homologous series of molecular glassformers.

We design and synthesize a set of homologous organic molecules by taking advantage of facile and tailorable Suzuki cross coupling reactions to produce triarylbenzene derivatives. By adjusting the number and the arrangement of conjugated rings, the identity of heteroatoms, lengths of fluorinated alkyl chains, and other interaction parameters, we create a library of glassformers with a wide range of properties. Measurements of the glass transition temperature (T) show a power-law relationship between T and molecular weight (M), with of the molecules, with an exponent of 0.

Exploring the Importance of Surface Diffusion in Stability of Vapor-Deposited Organic Glasses.

Stable glasses are formed during physical vapor deposition (PVD), through the surface-mediated equilibration process. Understanding surface relaxation dynamics is important in understanding the details of this process. Direct measurements of the surface relaxation times in molecular glass systems are challenging.

Effects of microstructure formation on the stability of vapor-deposited glasses.

Glasses formed by physical vapor deposition (PVD) are an interesting new class of materials, exhibiting properties thought to be equivalent to those of glasses aged for thousands of years. Exerting control over the structure and properties of PVD glasses formed with different types of glass-forming molecules is now an emerging challenge. In this work, we study coarse-grained models of organic glass formers containing fluorocarbon tails of increasing length, corresponding to an increased tendency to form microstructures.

Transition-metal-free chemo- and regioselective vinylation of azaallyls.

Direct C(sp)-C(sp) bond formation under transition-metal-free conditions offers an atom-economical, inexpensive and environmentally benign alternative to traditional transition-metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions. A new chemo- and regioselective coupling protocol between 3-aryl-substituted-1,1-diphenyl-2-azaallyl derivatives and vinyl bromides has been developed. This is the first transition-metal-free cross-coupling of azaallyls with vinyl bromide electrophiles and delivers allylic amines in excellent yields (up to 99%).