The Rawson Group The University of Windsor
Organic molecules have become increasingly important in the last few decades in the development of high-tech electronics. These include organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for flat screen display technology such as TVs. computers and mobile devices. Organics are also used as key components in light-harvesting devices for solar cells and as organic field effect transistors (OFETs) for microelectronics.Materials which respond to external stimuli such as heat, light or pressure are attractive as building blocks for the development of smart devices.
Our research focuses on the fundamental interplay between molecular synthesis, solid state structure and physical properties with a particular interest in magnetic, conducting and optical properties of the molecules we prepare.
Our approach is centered around the synthesis and reactivity patterns of group 15/16 heterocycles, particularly those containing the elements N,P, S and Se and the generation of stable free radicals. We exploit crystal engineering approaches to understand and design molecule based materials and use a range of in-house techniques for compound characterization including:
* NMR and EPR spectroscopies,
* UV/vis and fluorescence measurements,
* Variable temperature single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction,
* Thermal analysis methods: DSC and TGA
* Computational studies (DFT).
Measurements of magnetic and conducting properties are undertaken through collaborations with internationally leading experts in the field.
"The Rawson Group - making designer radicals for materials science."
Organic Materials
Find out more about our areas of research interest through the links below:
* Dithiadiazolyl radicals: magnets, conductors, photoconductors and
redox active ligands
* Dithiazolyl radicals as magnetic switches
* Tetrathiocins as precursors to thiolate complexes and heterocyclic rings
* Crystal engineering and polymorphism in dithiadiazolyl radicals
* Large Z' structures
* Radical-radical cocrystals
