Research Summary

Heterocycles represent an important class of organic molecules due to their applications in electronic materials, energy storage, catalysis, biological activity, and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) modeling.  Dr. Tice’s research primarily focuses upon the synthesis and reactivity of heterocycles and their fused-ring aromatic analogs for incorporation into electronic devices.  Both organic polymers and discreet monomers have been successfully incorporated into devices such as field-effect transistors (FETs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells.  These materials holds a distinct advantage over classical inorganic semiconductors in that they are relatively inexpensive, light weight, can be produced without a stringent, “clean room” setting, and can function on flexible substrates (so called “plastic electronics”).  Furthermore, by incorporating transition metal centers into these materials, one can blend therobust and diverse synthetic possibilities of traditional organic materials with the novel structural and electronic properties of transition metal chemistry.    

While there has been some investigation into the organometallic and material chemistry of these heterocycles, this still represents a rich area of research, which has the potential for transition metal-mediated coupling, polymerization, and electrochemical studies.  Research from the Tice group focuses on applications in next generation electronics, alternative or “Green” energy, and development of high-value materials from the emerging biorefinery sector.  Students engaging in this research will learn hands-on, synthetic techniques in organic and organometallic chemistry as well as applications in solution and solid-state spectroscopy and characterization including NMR, IR, MS, UV-Vis, and X-ray diffractometry.    

Selected Publications

Tice, N. C., Parkin, S., Bozell, J. J.  Molecular Structures of Glycal-based Bolaamphiphiles:  Analysis of Crystal Packing and Hydrogen-bond Networks.  Carbohydr.Res. 2008, 343, 374–382. 

Tice, N. C., Parkin, S., Selegue, J. P. Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structures of Boron-Containing Intermediates in the Reductive Amination of Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde to a Bis(ferrocenylmethyl) Amine.  J. Org. Met. Chem. 2007,692, 791–800. 

Snyder, C. A.; Selegue, J. P.; Tice, N. C.; Wallace, C. E.; Blankenbuehler, M. T.; Parkin, S.; Allen, K. D. E.; Beck, R. T. Synthesis, Characterization, and Structure of Cyclopenta[c]thiophenes and Their Manganese Complexes.  J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2005, 127, 15010–15011. 

Snyder, C. A.; Selegue, J. P.; Dosunmu, E.; Tice, N. C.; Parkin S. C,O-Dialkylation of Meldrum’s Acid:  Synthesis and Reactivity of 1,3,7,7-Tetramethyl-4H,10H-6,8,9-trioxa-2-thiabenz[f]azulen-5-one.  J. Org. Chem. 2003, 68, 7455–7459.