RESEARCH

The overall goal of our research is the development of the coordination chemistry of heavy main group metals (e.g. In, Bi), which possess interesting and useful Lewis acid properties. We achieve this through the synthesis and characterization of series of organometallic compounds which systematically alter the metal bonding environment and ability to facilitate chemical reactions.

Areas of focus include:

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Reactive Main Group Metal Compounds via Redox-Active Ligands

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A focus of contemporary main group chemistry is the design of alternatives to expensive and toxic transition and rare earth metal organometallic catalysts for organic transformations important to the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. Precious metals favour two-electron redox changes and are well-suited for “oxidative addition” and “reductive elimination” processes required for organic coupling reactions. However, high costs and environmental concerns associated with the toxicity of these metals and the search for new reactivity profiles has led to exploration of more environmentally friendly and inexpensive main group metals. Indium(III) and bismuth(III) reagents are well-established Lewis acid catalysts in organic syntheses and meet these criteria. However, their use for oxidation/reduction reactions is much less developed as both metals are predominantly stable in their 3+ oxidation states and do not readily undergo reversible oxidation reactions. An alternative route to designing main group metal compounds capable of redox reaction chemistry is therefore through use of redox-active ligands. We are preparing indium and bismuth compounds using anionic ligands such as ferrocenyl, o-amidophenolates and catecholates that are are capable of reversible one-electron oxidation. The electrochemical and photochemical properties of these novel compounds are being determined, and they are being screened for their reactivity with oxidants, reductants and substrates to assess their potential as redox catalysts.   Ultimately, this research may lead to new classes of homogeneous organometallic catalysts that possess unique reactivity and afford novel chemical products.