With support from the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program Dr. Donald F. Gaines will investigate the mechanisms of reactions of boron-containing cluster molecules and also synthesize new molecules of this type. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of this important area of chemistry, the results have potential applications in energy storage and solid state materials. This project combines exploratory synthetic investigations of boron hydride cluster molecules and their derivatives with investigations of the mechanisms of their formation, rearrangement and reactions. The mechanisms of reactions and rearrangements of selected derivatives of borane and carborane clusters will be investigated using stereospecific boron isotopic labeling as the diagnostic probe and B-10 and B-11 NMR spectroscopic analysis. New routes and mechanistic pathways for the mono- and polyalkylation of boranes will be developed using a variety of approaches based on recent new catalysts and alkylating agents. The long-lived intermediate formed during the hydridic reduction of boron-halogen bonds by trialkyltin hydrides will be characterized. Novel classes of group-V- containing heteroatom boron clusters will be prepared using alternative strategies such as simultaneous insertion of boron and nitrogen, extensions of the strategies used recently to prepare new types of nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing borane clusters.
