This grant in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Program is made to Dr. Michael P. Castellani of the Chemistry Department, Marshall University. Pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl complexes of (1) chromium and iron phosphines and isocyanides and of (2) zirconium (IV) oxides and sulfides, and related niobium and tantalum hydrides, will be prepared. Reactivity of the electron-deficient radical species produced is expected to be reduced by the introduction of the bulky pentaphenyl- cyclopentadienyl group. These compounds are of interest because they serve as models for radical intermediates that have been proposed for many catalytic and organometallic reactions. Once prepared, the catalytic activity and mechanisms of substitution reactions of these compounds will be explored and implications for analogous reactions drawn. %%% Highly reactive species important in catalytic processes are not easily characterized, but this project allows determination of the reactivity of closely-related species. The findings have implications for catalyst development and sensor technology. The research will be carried out by undergraduate students.
