Geometry-Constrained Reactivity and Dynamics at the Limits of Carbon-Carbon Bonding

Title:

Geometry-Constrained Reactivity and Dynamics at the Limits of Carbon-Carbon Bonding

Schedule:

Date: 14^th November, 2023 (Tuesday)

Time: 5 - 6 pm (HKT)

Venue: Lecture Theatre P2, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building

Speaker:

Dr. Paul R. McGonigal

Department of Chemistry

University of York, UK

Biography:

Dr. Paul McGonigal is Reader in Functional Organic Materials at the University of York, where he investigates dynamic processes in organic functional materials. His group’s research has been recognised by the RSC Harrison–Meldola Memorial Medal 2022 and the German Chemical Society’s Liebig Lectureship 2023.

Abstract:

It is well-established that strain arises in organic molecules as a result of non-ideal bond lengths, bond angles, and unfavorable non-bonded interactions. The constrained geometries of ring systems are particularly predisposed to creating strain. Our recent research balances strain relief and geometry constraint to “switch-on” dynamic processes. This talk will summarize our investigations of fluxional carbon cages, which can give rise to phenomena such as dynamic preferential crystallization and stimulus-responsive dynamic sp3-C stereochemistry. It will also describe our discovery of an aromatic-to-nonaromatic that emerges when the aromatic stabilization energy of a ring system is offset precisely by steric strain.

- ALL ARE WELCOME -