CAREER: The Hydrogermolysis Reaction: Facilitating Germanium-Germanium Bond Formation and Promoting Careers in Science

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK

Investigators

Abstract

This award by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program to Professor Charles S. Weinert of Oklahoma State University addresses the synthesis a wide range of catenated germanium species in linear, branched, cyclic and cage geometries. This is a significant goal as the chemistry of species containing extended chains or networks of germanium-germanium single bonds is not well developed. In contrast, catenated silicon and tin systems are well known and have important properties. The physical properties of these species are evaluated as precursors for the fabrication of germanium nanomaterials with important electronic properties. Native American high school students are provided summer internships in Professor Weinert's laboratories with the goal of engaging them in the chemical sciences. As Native Americans are not well represented in chemistry, the outcome of this effort is extremely significant.