This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports research by Dr. Joseph W. Kolis, Chemistry Department, Clemson University, for the study of novel synthetic methods for transition metal-main group solids. The relatively low reaction temperature of supercritical fluids permits isolation of kinetically stabilized phases not otherwise easily obtainable. Solids of the general formula AxMyEz, where A=alkali metal, M=Cu, Ag, and E=S, Se, will be prepared in supercritical ammonia or ethylenediamine. Attempts will also be made to use bismuth and tellurium. The resulting compounds are expected to have low dimensional structures and potentially interesting electronic properties. A dominant strategy for the synthesis will be to replace monovalent alkali metals with divalent cations, or replacement of monovalent coinage metals with open shell transition metals such as manganese (II) or iron (II). In addition, new techniques will be developed for some unusual aqueous solvents. Hydrothermal brines with high concentrations of halides, sulfides or carbonates will be used to synthesize new metal chalcogenides under conditions similar to those under which naturally occurring gems and minerals form. Solid state compounds are useful in electronic devices, so development of new materials and new methods to prepare materials are important areas of research. The new methods to be developed with the support of this award not only are novel and may result in useful new solids, but may have implications for understanding formation of minerals in nature as well
