Multinucleating Pendtadentate Ligand Scaffolds for Cooperative Bimetallic Oxidation Reactions

Marquette University, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports the efforts of Professor James Gardinier of Marquette University for the design and study of iron(IV)=O species that contain pentadentate ligands for C-H bond activation reactions. The new ligands will modulate the steric and electronic properties of the transition metal complexes, impacting ligand substitution and potentially providing cooperatively-enhanced reaction chemistry for bimetallic ensembles. Despite widespread interest, many fundamental questions about iron(IV)=O species remain unanswered in both biochemical and catalytic processes; this research targets some of these important questions. Professor Gardinier has created and maintained a web library of spectra for d-d transitions. This website is accessible to both researchers and educators seeking to enhance the undergraduate curriculum. Professor Gardinier also actively participates in the Upward Bound Program, which enables students in grades 9-11 from low income families to develop the skills required to complete high school. The introduction of mini-workshops on current inorganic research projects exposes these students to modern research topics.