From C4H2 to Nanotubes With Stops In Between

Professor Richard Johnson

Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire

Abstract: This talk will feature selections from our recent work, which has ranged from a detailed study of interconversions among C4H2 isomers (How many can YOU draw?), to studies on modified carbon nanotubes, to the development of new degradable polymers. Central themes include strained molecules and reactive intermediates, rational structure design and the use of advanced computational methods (molecular modeling) to predict strain, structure and reactivity. Our recent work on the applications of microwaves to graphite and carbon nanotubes will also be presented.