摘要：

Results of research on two novel problems in organic stereochemistry are described: 1) Topological stereochemistry; and 2) Design and synthesis of novel organic optoelectronic materials. In the topological stereochemistry project, new methods for understanding the symmetries of topologically complex molecular structures have been developed, and the total synthesis of several such structures has been achieved. New strategies for the synthesis of the first molecular knotted ring, a long sought but still illusive target, have been tested and are under development. In the optoelectronic materials project, work has focussed on design and synthesis of new ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs), a novel class of fluid materials possessing polar symmetry. Such materials have important potential utility in flat panel video and devices for optical computing. A predictive model for the molecular origins of the ferroelectric polarization in FLCs has been developed and demonstrated, and several new FLC classes have been invented. Also, the model is being applied to design of the first liquid phases with high second order hyperpolarizability for ultra fast electro-optic applications.

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