Intellectual Merit

1. Supramolecular Catalysis in the Organic Solid StateLeonard R. MacGillivray, University of Iowa, DMR 0801329 Intellectual Merit The MacGillivray research group employs principles of supramolecular chemistry to control solid-state reactions. Using hydrogen-bond-mediated self-assembly, the group reported on the ability of small molecules to act as catalysts in the solid state. The catalyst was in the form of a resorcinol that directs an intermolecular [2+2] photodimerization. Owing to the restricted movement of molecules in the solid state, dry mortar-and-pestle grinding was shown to be necessary to facilitate turnover. Fig. 1. Scheme of supramolecular catalysis via dry grinding. Sokolov, A.N.; Bucar, D.-K.; Baltrusaitis, J.; Gu, S.X.; MacGillivray, L.R. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2010, 49, 4273-4277

2. Mechanochemistry in the Undergraduate Organic LabLeonard R. MacGillivray, University of Iowa, DMR 0801329 Broader Impacts The MacGillivray group revised an ongoing undergraduate organic chemistry experiment by importing the use of dry mortar-and-pestle grinding. Dry grinding was implemented by sophomore students to prepare hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies that undergo photoreaction in the solid state. A one-day symposium at the national meeting of the American Crystallographic Association on ‘Modern Aspects of Crystal Engineering’ was also co-organized by Professor MacGillivray in June, 2011 in New Orleans, LA. Fig. 2.Dry mortar-and-pestle grinding is employed to construct reactive co-crystals based on hydrogen-bond templates.