Dr. Vincent Catalano, Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Program of the Chemistry Division under a Faculty Early Career Development Award for studies of extended metal-metal interactions. Multi-metallic complexes will be prepared by bridging multiply bonded metal-metal dimers to late transition metal complexes using bidentate or multidentate ligands. The reactivity of these systems with small molecules such as carbon dioxide will be explored. Also, helical shaped platinum bipyridine complexes will be prepared by covalently linking multiple bipyridines through alkene linkages. These complexes have the potential to act as vapo-, baro-, or solvato-chromic sensors. The educational plan is aimed at increasing science literacy at all levels of education through simple programs that can be implemented based on a `think globally-act locally` approach, which includes tying chemical concepts to topical issues, integration of teaching with research, and public outreach through chemistry club and science fair activities. Synthetic systems will be designed in which metal atoms can interact with one another in extended linear networks. These systems are expected to be unique in their reactivity and in their physical properties due to the extended metal-metal interactions. They are of fundamental interest from the standpoint of understanding metal-metal bonding and through-space interactions, and they may have applications as sensors and in small molecule activation. The educational plan focuses on modifications of traditional chemistry courses to include topical issues and to integrate teaching with research.
