Catalysis and Thermochemistry Involving Organometallic Complexes

University Of New Orleans, New Orleans LA

Investigators

Abstract

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry program supports research by Dr. Steven P. Nolan of the University of New Orleans to undertake a multi-faceted program of solution calorimetric, kinetic and catalytic studies on well-defined organometallic compounds of ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, nickel and platinum in order to develop catalytic systems that offer a fundamental understanding of the formation of C-C, C-N and C-O bonds. Another overall aim is to simplify catalytic protocols for coupling reactions and enable catalytic transformations by easily used systems under mild conditions. The ligand families in these systems are tertiary phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) derived from an imidazole framework. The NHC ligand family offers user-friendly systems with respect to air-, moisture-and thermal-stability coupled with improved reactivity compared to ubiquitous tertiary phosphines systems. This research is linked to important industrial applications in fine chemical and pharmaceutical syntheses, so that the technology developed may be transferred to industrial partners. The research will also train undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students in important areas of chemical technology.