Research
Controlling Chemistry through Confinement
Non-covalent interactions influence the arrangement, trajectories, and encounters of molecules and thus define the pathways and outcomes of chemical reactions. The Gonzalez Lab leverages precise control over coordination and supramolecular chemistry to realize confined environments that afford unprecedented selectivity in fine-chemicals, industrial, and materials synthesis.
Solid-State
Photochemistry
We aim to realize unprecedented selectivity in photochemical reactions by taking advantage of the inherent preorganization and confinement of molecules in the crystalline state. These efforts confront one of the central challenges in synthetic chemistry: precise and deliberate functionalization of any site on a molecule.
Porous
Interfaces
We will employ porous self-assembled monolayers derived from supramolecular ligands to control reactivity and functionality at solid surfaces. This approach provides an opportunity to design next-generation materials with superior activity and selectivity for a broad range of applications, including sensing and catalysis.
Controlled Nanocluster
Growth and Reactivity
We aim to establish robust photochemical methods and design multi-functional ligands to achieve precise control over nanocluster size, composition, and surface chemistry. Correlating the structure of these materials to their reactivity will provide crucial insight into the chemistry at metal surfaces.