Synthetic, Structural and Mechanistic Studies of Alkyl, Hydride and Other Derivatives of the S- and P- Block Metals

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Program provides continued support for the work of Dr. Gerard F. R. Parkin of the Chemistry Department, Columbia University, on main group metals. Monomeric complexes containing poly(pyrazolyl)hydroboratate ligands will be prepared, including alkyl and hydride derivatives, carbonyl derivatives, subvalent derivatives, and terminal oxo, sulfido, and imido complexes. Multiple bonding with heavy main group compounds will receive particular attention. Attempts will be made to isolate structurally homologous complexes so that comparisons can be made between the reactions of particular metals. Alkyl derivatives of members of Group 2 beyond beryllium will be characterized. Synthesis of anionic copper(I) hydrides will be be attempted, as well as that of new CO complexes of silver and gold. The reactivity of Zn, Cd, and Hg species will be compared to that of Group 2. %%% Main group metals are used as reagents in organic synthesis and are important components of ceramic materials, semiconductors, and superconductors. This work would provide fundamental information about the behavior of these metals, particularly the heavy members whose chemistry is less well known, and whose usefulness in materials applications has not been fully exploited.