RUI: Reactions of Heteropoly Blues in Nonpolar Solvents with Carbon Dioxide

Canisius University Of Buffalo New York, Buffalo NY

Investigators

Abstract

This RUI award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry program supports research by Professor Mariusz M. Kozik at Canisius College to investigate transition metal substituted heteropoly tungstates that coordinate carbon dioxide through direct metal-carbon bonds. The work will determine whether the reduced forms of these complexes (heteropoly blues) can be oxidized by carbon dioxide by identifying the reaction products in nonpolar solvents. The multiple forms of the heteropoly tungstates that may be caused by potassium and bromide ions inside the reverse micelles formed by tetraheptylammonium cations and heteropoly anions will also be investigated. This research has potential environmental impact for reducing global warming by transforming atmospheric carbon dioxide into other molecules. The project also involves undergraduate students and high school students from a predominantly Hispanic and African American school district in basic research.