This starter grant award to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute will support the research of Professor Paul A. Deck. The research focusses on the synthesis and characterization of linear, homochiral organometallic coordination polymers. The synthesis of a variety of such polymeric materials proceeds by synthesis of the required monomeric and chain-end-capping complexes, followed by development of conditions for carrying out the coordination polymerization reactions with control of the degree of polymerization. The resulting coordination polymers are then used as chiral Lewis-acidic catalysts for organic transformations, such as enantioselective allylation and aldolization of carbonyl compounds, as well as ring-opening of meso epoxides. The research will advance the fundamental understanding of the synthesis of stereospecific polymers. Rigid, chiral metallocene polymers have found widespread application in enantioselective homogeneous catalysis
