In this project in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organo- metallic Chemistry Program, Dr. Hillhouse will continue his studies on the organometallic chemistry of nitrous oxide. Specific objectives of the study include the development of new preparative methods for the synthesis of oxometal complexes, development of selective methods for oxidation of organic molecules, and exploration of the binding of nitrous oxide by metal complexes. Both early and late transition metal systems will be studied. %%% Nitrous oxide has a well deserved reputation as an unreactive gas; however, thermodynamically it is a very potent oxidant and when used as an oxidizing reagent would give dinitrogen as an environmentally benign reduction product. In spite of its usual low reactivity nitrous oxide is a threat to the environment. Therefore fundamental studies of its reactivity have the potential for development of an oxidant with no harmful by-products and to provide for new ways to deal with an environmental threat.
