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Vance E Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Vance E Williams.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Wavelength-dependent selectivity in [4 + 4]-cycloaddition reactions.

Selective excitation of a variety of anthracene derivatives in the presence of anthracene led to the formation of only the cross-cyclomer products, while irradiating these mixtures at wavelengths where anthracene also absorbs led to both dianthracene and the mixed cyclomers being formed. This method was shown to be general, so long as the chromophore was inert toward forming its homodimer and could be irradiated at wavelengths at which anthracene does not absorb.

Journal Article↗

Structural factors controlling the self-assembly of columnar liquid crystals.

A series of disc-shaped molecules were prepared by the condensation of 1,2-diamines with 2,3,6,7-tetrakis(hexyloxy)phenanthrene-9,10-dione to investigate the relationship between changes in molecular structure and the self-assembly of columnar liquid crystalline phases. A comparison of compounds with different core sizes indicated that molecules with larger aromatic cores had a greater propensity to form columnar phases, as did compounds substituted with electron-withdrawing groups. In contrast, molecules with electron-donating substituents were nonmesogenic. The clearing temperature of columnar phases increased linearly with the electron-withdrawing ability of the substituents, as quantified by Hammett sigma-values. The observed trends can be rationalized in terms of the strength of pi-pi interactions between aromatic cores in the liquid crystalline phases and suggest that both electrostatic interactions and dispersion forces play important roles in the self-assembly of these materials.

Journal Article↗

Complementarity in bimolecular photochromism.

Irradiating 2,3,6,7-tetraphenylanthracene in the presence of 9,10-dimethylanthracene leads to exclusive formation of the cross-dimer. No photochemical reaction is observed when either of these chromophores is irradiated in the absence of the other.

Anthracenes↗