Benjamin T. King
Associate Professor
Organic Chemistry
B.S. (1992), Northeastern University; Ph.D. (2000), University of Colorado (Josef Michl); Postdoctoral Research Associate (2000-2002), University of California, Berkeley (Robert G. Bergman).
E-mail: king![[at]](../images/at.png)
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Phone: 775-784-1736
FAX: 775-784-6804
Office: CB 120
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Benjamin T. King
Research Interests
Our research focuses on the preparation of molecules that might someday serve as useful materials. The approach is to design synthetic targets using computational chemistry, prepare them by chemical synthesis, and then study their properties and behavior.
The benzenoid unit is a particularly versatile building block for nanostructures, as demonstrated by graphite, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes. We are interested in constructing benzenoid nanostructures using controlled organic synthesis instead of the normal high temperature arc discharge methods. Two of our molecular targets are shown below. The short nanotubes might nucleate the growth of longer nanotubes and the extended helicenes might serve as molecular actuators.
Since the incorporation of fluorine into molecules often confers unusual properties, such as high stability (e.g. Teflon®) or the ability to attain high oxidation states (e.g. XeF2), the preparation of highly fluorinated nanostructures is another goal. Our initial targets are perfluorinated fullerenes, which are expected to be good electron acceptors. This work is safely carried out in specialized vacuum manifolds.
Selected Publications
“Uncatalyzed Zirconium-Mediated Biphenylation of o-Dihalobenzenes to Form Triphenylenes,” Hilton, C.L.; Jamison, C.R.; King, B.T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 126, 1284.
“Simulation of Actuation by Polymeric Polyelectrolyte Helicenes,”Rempala, P.S.; King, B.T. J. Chem. Comp. Theor. 2006, 2, 1112-1118.
“Investigation of the Mechanism of the Intramolecular Scholl Reaction of Contiguous Phenyl Benzenes,” Rempala, P.S.; Kroulik, J.; King, B.T. J. Org. Chem. 2006, 71, 5067-5081.
“Four Homologous Zirconium 2,2'-Biphenyldiyls: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity,” Hilton, C.L.; King, B.T. Organometallics 2006, 25, 4058-4061.
“Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by ring closing metathesis,” Bonifacio, M.C.; Robertson, C.R.; Jung, J.-Y.; King, B.T. J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 8522-8526.
“A slippery slope: Mechanistic analysis of the intramolecular Scholl reaction of hexaphenylbenzene,” Rempala, P.; Kroulík, J.; King, B.T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15002-15003.
“Clar valence bond representation of π-bonding in carbon nanotubes,” Ormsby, J.; King, B.T. J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69, 4287-4291. (Cover feature).