Research

Cationic Electron Acceptors

We seek to achieve ambient stability of the reduced states of aromatic imides through the incorporation of cationic charge onto the aromatic core to set the stage for incorporation into device settings.

Cramming Imides Together

We are targeting small molecules with high densities of redox centers for their potential in charge accumulating applications. This work is funded by the ACS PRF.

Self-Assembled Structures

We are interested in new synthetic strategies for building molecular 2D and 3D structures with porous properties.


Funding

We are grateful to the following agencies and foundations for supporting our research.

PeriodProjectFunderAmount
2025–2028RUI: Pyrazoloindazoles as Long Wavelength Chromophores and EmittersNSF$365,000
2024–2025Cycloaddition of 3-arylmaleimides with maleimidesOrganic Syntheses, Inc.$16,000
2024Rapid Construction of Electron-Deficient Aromatics by Cycloadditions of 3-Arylmaleimide with MaleimidesACS Division of Organic Chemistry (SURF)$6,000
2023–2026Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Aromatic DihydrazidesACS Petroleum Research Fund$70,000
2023–2028Sulfur-Enhanced Mellophanic Diimide Acenes and IonsDreyfus Foundation (Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award)$75,000
2022–2025Macalester Beckman Scholars ProgramArnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation$156,000
2020–2025RUI: Aromatic Diimide-Stabilized Acenes, Biradicals, and Radical IonsNSF$338,259
2019–2022Cottrell Scholar AwardResearch Corporation for Science Advancement$100,000
2019Synthesis and Characterization of Angled Benzene Diimides as Building Blocks for Linear AzaacenesACS Division of Organic Chemistry (SURF)$5,000
2017–2019Synthesis and Characterization of Naphthalene and Biphenylene TetraimidesACS Petroleum Research Fund$55,000
2017Assembly of Metal-less Covalent Carbon Cages through Alkene MetathesisMindlin Foundation$4,950
2016–2019Development of Green Chemistry Lab ExperimentsMinnesota Pollution Control Agency$14,980