Welcome to the Aprahamian Research Group

Research in the group focuses on the synthesis, development and characterization of small, smart, and functional molecules. For this purpose synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry is used in conjunction with advanced spectroscopic and computational methods.

Our interest in controlling molecular motion and converting it into mechanical work has driven us to the development of new hydrazone-based molecular switches that can be activated either chemically or photochemically. These novel systems are expected to form the basis of various molecular machines and motors. We are also interested in studying molecular rotors in order to gain further insight into the mechanistics of molecular motion.

The group is also pursuing new ways of forming lithium-containing and -pillared carbon based materials. For this purpose organolithium compounds will be used in the self-assembly of various well-defined supramolecular architectures. It is anticipated that such crystal engineered systems can one day be used as hydrogen storage materials.