Thermochemistry and Catalysis Involving Organometallic Complexes

University Of New Orleans, New Orleans LA

Investigators

Abstract

Dr. Steven P. Nolan, Chemistry Department, University of New Orleans, is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division for studies to determine bond strengths in organometallic compounds and for the development of ruthenium mediated olefin metathesis catalysts. The thermochemistry and reactivity of nucleophilic carbene modified complexes will be explored. These investigations will be extended to organorhodium systems and to the replacement of cyclooctadiene by phosphine ligands in platinum and palladium complexes. In a separate study, neutral 16 electron ruthenium carbene complexes will be developed as olefin metathesis catalysts. Thermodynamic data provides a quantitative basis for understanding reactivity in reactions, including catalytic reactions. The feasibility of new reactions can be predicted and design of new catalysts can be optimized. The available thermodynamic data on organometallic compounds is limited. This research will provide basic information on the enthalpy for breaking bonds to metals and the application of this data to the development of important catalysts.