This grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the work of Professor Sita at the California Institute of Technology who will provide new experimental data on polystannanes that can be used to test the accuracy and reliability of predictions at the ab initio level of theory concerning the structures, stabilities, and properties of these group 14-heavy-atom analogs of organic molecules. New types of protecting groups will be developed that can be used in conjunction with the Sn-Sn bond forming hydrostannolysis reaction for the programmed construction of complex polystannane structures that include linear oligomers, branched dendrimers, propellanes, prismanes, and bicyclic structures. %%% In this project Professor Lawrence R. Sita will develop new and expand current strategies to synthesize linear oligomers, branched dendrimers, propellanes, prismanes, and other bicyclic polystannane structures. The targeted organo-tin compounds have the same tin- framework as the carbon skeletons in the lighter hydrocarbon analogues. Sita's study will catapult organo-tin chemistry to the forefront by providing valuable insight into its scope and limitations that will be important to materials applications and theoretical insight alike.
