The Haley lab is currently interested in the application of conjugated organic molecules toward various avenues:

  • Formally antiaromatic, fully conjugated indenofluorene scaffolds are being explored as potential materials for organic electronics due to their ability to easily and reversibly accept electrons. In addition, we are interested in fundamental exploration of these quinoidal closed-shell antiaromatic/diradicaloid open-shell aromatic moieties.

  • Conjugated aryl-ethynyl systems are being investigated for use in the sensing of various biologically/environmentally relevant phenomena, utilizing the inherent fluorescence of such systems to selectively sense or detect the presence of certain anions or potential gradients. In addition, cyclization of the aryl ethynyl scaffolds leads to a rare class of P/N-heterocycles known as azaphosphinines. These heterocycles are highly fluorescent and possess strong dimerization properties. This project is part of a collaboration with Darren Johnson.