nanoputian
NanoPutians are a series of organic molecules whose structural formulae resemble human forms. James Tour's research group designed and synthesized these compounds in 2003 as a part of a sequence on chemical education for young students. The compounds consist of two benzene rings connected via a few carbon atoms as the body, four acetylene units each carrying an alkyl group at their ends which represents the hands and legs, and a 1,3-dioxolane ring as the head. Tour and his team at Rice University used the NanoPutians in their NanoKids educational outreach program. The goal of this program was
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Background
- NanoKids Educational Outreach Program
- Synthesis of NanoKid
- Upper body of NanoKid
- Lower body of NanoKid
- Attachment
- Derivatives of NanoKid
- Synthesis of NanoProfessionals
- Synthesis of the NanoKid in upright form
- Synthesis of NanoPutian chain
- See also
- References
- External links
{{chembox | verifiedrevid = 464365162 | Name = NanoKid | ImageFile1=Nanokid.svg | ImageSize1 = 120px | ImageFile2=Nanoputian-3D-balls.png | ImageSize2 = 120px | PIN = 2-(2,5-bis(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)-4-{[3,5-di(pent-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl]ethynyl}phenyl)-1,3-dioxolane | OtherNames = | Section1 = | Section2 = }} NanoPutians are a series of organic molecules whose structural formulae resemble human forms. James Tour's research group designed and synthesized these compounds in 2003 as a part of a sequence on chemical education for young students. The compounds consist of two benzene rings connected via a few carbon atoms as the body, four acetylene units each carrying an alkyl group at their ends which represents the hands and legs, and a 1,3-dioxolane ring as the head. Tour and his team at Rice University used the NanoPutians in their NanoKids educational outreach program. The goal of this program was to educate children in the sciences in an effective and enjoyable manner. They have made several videos featuring the NanoPutians as anthropomorphic animated characters.
Construction of the structures depends on Sonogashira coupling and other synthetic techniques. By replacing the 1,3-dioxolane group with an appropriate ring structure, various other types of putians have been synthesized, e.g. NanoAthlete, NanoPilgrim, and NanoGreenBeret. Placing thiol (R-SH) functional groups at the end of the legs enables them to "stand" on a gold surface.