The Synthetic Organic Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Randolph P. Thummel of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Houston. Dr. Thummel is developing syntheses of molecules that will bind two or more metal ions which will be then positioned so that they can interact with one another. This interaction may lead to interesting new properties which can be used in the complex materials required by agriculture, medicine and industry. The research outlines the design and synthesis of three related types of chelating systems each of which is capable of binding more than one metal center. Sub-units such as 2,2'-bipyridine, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and ?3,2-g!pyridoindole are separated by spacer groups such tetracyclo-undecane (TCU), 1,8-diazaanthracene, ferrocene, and others which orient the binding centers in parallel, planar, or helical arrangements. These systems will be prepared by application of the Friedlander condensation and the Fisher Indole synthesis with appropriate oriented carbonyl systems. Complexes will be prepared with these ligands using metals such as Ru(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), and Eu(III). The impact of ligand structure on the geometry of the resulting metal complexes will be evaluated using high field NMR and X-ray analysis. Electrochemical and photochemical properties will be examined to help better understand interactions between the ligand and metal centers. The possible existence of charge transfer relays, mixed valence species, and host-guest typeinteractions will be explored. It is anticipated that ligands capable of orienting two or more metals will behave as organic templates which mediate and encourage unusual inorganic chemistry.
