Covalent Fluoride, Oxofluoride and Nonmetal Main Group Chemistry at the Limits of Oxidation and Coordination

University Of Southern California, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

Dr. Karl O. Christe, Chemistry Department, University of Southern California, is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division for studies of covalent fluoride, oxyfluoride, and non-metal main group compounds with high coordination and oxidation numbers. The project will target the preparation of new homoleptic polynitrogen compounds, the synthesis of novel dinitramides, structural studies on systems including xenon-oxygen-xenon bridged compounds, hypervalent compounds, and examples where theory and experiment are in apparent contradiction. Theoretical ab initio calculations will be done along with the experimental work to analyze bonding relationships. This project joins theory with exceedingly difficult experimental work and physical characterization and aims at a fundamental understanding of high-energy molecules. It has potential significance to the production and understanding of high energy density materials for propulsion and energy storage.