Unusual structural, electronic, thermodynamic, and reactivity characteristics of the actinide and related elements will be determined. Phenomena to be investigated include metal-ligand bond enthalpies and reaction thermodynamics, metal-heteroelement bond chemistry, ancillary ligand effects and enantioselective transformations, the activation of hydrocarbon and related molecules, metal-metalloid and metal-metal bonds, as well as unusual oxidation states and ligands. The long range goal is to understand those structural and electronic factors which modulate chemical reactivity, and to capitalize on features which stimulate new or enhanced modes of chemical reactivity. %%% In this project in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Tobin J. Marks of Northwestern University will continue studies of the organometallic chemistry of actinide and related elements. The basic scientific goal is to understand the factors that determine chemical reactivity, a knowledge that may allow enhanced reactivity of certain catalyst systems. The results may also be of use in dealing with nuclear wastes and learning more about their effect on the environment.
