Breathing and Twisting: Guests in VOBDC Allan J. Jacobson, University of Houston, DMR 0706072

1. Breathing and Twisting: Guests in VOBDCAllan J. Jacobson, University of Houston, DMR 0706072 The structures of vanadium benzene dicarboylate VO(bdc)·G, where G = benzene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,3-cyclo hexadiene, cyclohexene and cyclohexane, have been determined. All six -ring guests are ordered in the channels and are packed in two columns. The VO(bdc) framework deforms to closely adapt to the shape and thickness changes of the double columns of the guests. In addition to the well studied breathing deformation, a new twisting deformation mechanism that involves a cooperative rotation of the octahedral chains accompanied by bending of the bdc ligand is identified. Quantitative information on the flexibility of the VO(bdc) framework was obtained from ab initio calculations. The study is relevant to the application of VOBDC as selective sorbent.(J. Materials Research 2009, 24, 1901) Crystal structure views along for [VO(bdc)](cyclohexene ), 7; and [VO(bdc)](cyclohexane), 8.

2. Education and Outreach Allan J. Jacobson, University of Houston, DMR 0706072 The materials programs at UH support science education at the elementary and secondary school levels through programs that provide immersive activities to explain the basic science concepts that underlie research in advanced materials. Two specific activities last year: I was a judge at the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston to select outstanding projects in materials science and engineering. I was also a host each October for the visit to UH of 120-130 science students (juniors and seniors) from Tec de Monterey in Mexico. Science and Engineering Fair Winners Tec de Monterey Visitors