We use modular and tunable hydrazone-based building blocks in the development of molecular switches, fluorophores, sensors and adaptive materials that can be used in addressing energy, healthcare and nanotechnology related challenges. To this end we utilize synthetic, physical organic, and supramolecular chemistry in conjunction with advanced spectroscopic methods and DFT calculations.
Our interest in controlling molecular motion and converting it into mechanical work has driven us to the development of new hydrazone-based molecular switches that can be activated either chemically or photochemically. These novel systems are expected to form the basis of various molecular machines and motors that can be used in applications ranging from drug delivery to energy storage.
The group also works on hydrazone-based fluorophores (i.e., solid-state BODIHY dyes, and blue-light emitting triazolopyridinium salts) that can be used in sensing, bio-imaging, and OLED applications, among others.