Novel organic materials through control of multichromophore interactions

The function of organic semiconducting and light-harvesting materials depends on the organization of the individual molecular components. Our group has tackled the problem of through-space delocalization via the design and synthesis of bichromphoric pairs held in close proximity by the [2.2]paracyclophane core. The linear and nonlinear optical properties of these molecules provide a challenge to theory. They are also useful in delineating the problem of intermolecular contacts in molecular conductivity measurements. Another area of research described here concerns conjugated polyelectrolytes. These macromolecules combine the properties of organic semiconductors and conventional polyelectrolytes. We have used these materials in the development of optically amplified biosensors and have also incorporated them into organic optoelectronic devices. Of particular interest to us is to derive useful structure/property relationships via molecular design that address important basic scientific problems and technological challenges.