The Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program will support research by Dr. Michael P. Castellani of the Chemistry Department, Marshall University, on the reactivity of organometallic radical compounds. Electron deficient pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl carbonyl compounds of Cr, Mo, and W will be synthesized and used to prepare 17- and 19-electron species. The relative stabilities of these odd-electron species will be determined, as well as their physical properties and reactivities. In a related project, 15-electron nitromethane complexes of chromium will be prepared and used to investigate the isomerization of nitromethane to methyl nitrite. This reaction will be studied to determine if it is general for nitroalkanes. Also, related alkoxide and amido chromium complexes will be prepared and their reactivity with alkenes and alkynes explored. Organometallic compounds that have 18 electrons in their outermost energy levels are generally less reactive than those that contain 17 or 19 electrons. Some 17- and 19- electron species are thought to be important intermediates in catalytic reactions. This project focuses on understanding factors important in the reactivities of some odd-electron species, especially in reactions which may have utility for organic synthesis. The research will be carried out by undergraduate students
