Helicenes represent unique 3D aromatic systems which are inherently chiral. Such features predetermine their use in enantioselective catalysis, molecular recognition, nonlinear optics, molecular electronics and photonics, or their use as liquid crystals or components for molecular devices. From a practical point of view, most helicenes are chemically stable, sufficiently soluble in organic solvents, and resistant to configurational scrambling.

Several studies are underway to extend the helicene syntheses so they yield functionalized helicenes, heterohelicenes, higher homologues, helicenes that are nonracemic, and helicene-like congeners.

Current and Proposed Projects

• Synthesis of functionalized helicenes/heterohelicenes
• Preparation of optically pure helicenes/heterohelicenes
• Application of helicene/heterohelicene-based ligands to enantioselective catalysis
• Preparation of helicene/heterohelicene-based components for molecular electronics and photonics
• Helicene-based materials for molecular recognition and catalysis
• Synthesis of helicenes for bioapplications
• Physical and quantum chemical studies on helicenes

Examples of envisioned targets

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