The Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Program supports the work of Professor Christopher J. A. Daley of the University of San Diego to investigate the preparation of dissymmetric diamidato-dithiolate ligands that resemble the chelation environment in the nitrile hydratase family of metalloenzymes. Complexes of cobalt and iron will be prepared and assessed in catalytic reactions. This research may lead to an increased understanding of metalloenzyme structure and function through modeling. The University of San Diego is increasing its efforts in hands-on undergraduate research training and this project is expected to result in the interdisciplinary training of their undergraduate students as well as the exposure of these students to scientists from the University of New Mexico, a collaborating institution.
