Synthetic, Structural, and Mechanistic Studies of s- and p-Block Element Complexes with Reactive Functionalities

Columbia University, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports research by Gerard F. R. Parkin of the Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, on synthesis of novel main group compounds. The s- and p-block compounds prepared will feature currently unknown functionalities, such as a terminal gallium nitride unit. The syntheses of these complexes will rely upon the use of ligands constructed so as to stabilize the functionalities under investigation. These include various tris-(pyrazolyl)borate and bis- and tris-(mercaptoimidazolyl)hydroborate ligands, chiral-at-boron ligands, and ligands featuring monovalent gallium as the donor atom. The main group elements have a variety of important applications in synthetic chemistry, solid state materials, and catalytic reactions. This project aims at understanding some of the unusual bonding and structural properties of some of the heavier members of the s- and p-block of the periodic table. Understanding gallium-nitride bonding may provide some insight into gas phase routes to materials. Graduate and postdoctoral students will learn rigorous synthetic methodologies and participate in group projects.