# RUI: Pyrazoloindazoles as Long Wavelength Chromophores and Emitters

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Macalester College (MN) · $365,000

## Abstract

With the support of the Chemical Mechanism, Function, and Properties Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Dennis Cao of the Chemistry Department at Macalester College is developing a class of organic dye compounds that interact with near-infrared light. The goal of this research is to unlock design principles toward organic dyes that can harvest solar energy outside the visible region of light and/or serve as imaging agents deep within living tissue. The research activities in synthesis and photophysical characterization will be conducted by undergraduate researchers both in laboratory courses and in full-time summer positions, providing excellent training and workforce development. The Cao Lab will also host visiting graduate student researchers and provide them with first-hand experience of running a research program and mentoring in the context of an undergraduate institution.

Computational investigations suggest that the pyrazoloindazole scaffold has remarkable potential as a near-infrared (NIR) chromophore, with an electronic structure that is 1) sensitive to structural modifications for varying the HOMO-LUMO gap and 2) likely to be a NIR light emitter. Curated libraries of modified pyrazoloindazoles will be synthesized and investigated to identify design rules for achieving compounds with enhanced absorption and/or emission maxima longer than 700 nm. The project team additionally will investigate the redox activity of the pyrazoloindazole scaffold in antic

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2453568
- **Awardee organization:** Macalester College (MN)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MNFCECSHS166
- **PI:** Dennis D Cao
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** RES IN UNDERGRAD INST-RESEARCH
- **Estimated total:** $365,000
- **Funds obligated:** $365,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 06/15/2025 → 05/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2453568

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2453568, RUI: Pyrazoloindazoles as Long Wavelength Chromophores and Emitters. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2453568. Licensed CC0.

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