Oxidation of metal hydride compounds will be used as a method for the systematic synthesis of coordinated dihydrogen. Both one- and two-electron oxidations are anticipated, both in non- coordinating solvents and in the presence of potential ligands. For transient products, chemical oxidation will be complemented with rapid scan electrochemical studies using microelectrodes. As an alternative source of dihydrogen formation or facile creation of unsaturation in a polyhydride compound, the intro- duction into the coordination sphere of a strong pi-donor ligand (alkoxide) will be explored. Preliminary results with an iridium compound support the utility of this concept. Finally, a method for combining hydride and alkoxide ligands in the coordination sphere of an early/late transition metal heterobimetallic compound will be investigated. %%% In this project in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organo- metallic Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Kenneth G. Caulton of Indiana University will explore ways to create coordinated dihydrogen and determine its chemical reactivity. These studies should have important implications for how various catalysts function in hydrogenation reactions, one of the most important industrial processes currently in use.
