With this grant in the Organic an Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Dr. J. E. McMurry will attempt to encapsulate ions (cations and anions) within the very restrictive cavity of bicyclo?4.4.4!tetradecane derivatives. These ions can be viewed as models for what is believe to be the transition states of common Organic reactions that follow cationic (carbonium ion) or anionic (SN2) mechanistic paths. One such cation, with a symmetrical C-H-C three center two electron bond, has been prepared and fully characterized. Similarly a fluorine cation will be formed and investigated. The complimentary preparation and study of anionic encapsulated hydrogen and fluorine will be pursued. The preparation of these kinds of charged organic systems will make fundamental contributions to our knowledge of chemical bonding. The facilities available to Professor McMurry are suitable for the research to be conducted, and the prior results of the Principal Investigator demonstrate his abilities.
