This project, in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program, involves the study of several aspects of platinum group chemistry as related to catalysis of organic reactions. Specific areas to be pursued include 1) further examination of the use of parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) as an NMR probe of reaction mechanisms in hydrogenation reactions, 2) activation of organic molecules by reaction with cationic and odd electron rhodium and iridium species, and 3) reactions of rhodium and iridium complexes in water and as part of dendrimeric structures; the former has implications for environmentally friendly technologies whereas the latter may provide a means of substrate discrimination and therefore selectivity. For the aqueous solution work, the ligands to be used will impart water solubility to the metal complexes. The majority of industrial manufacturing processes use some type of catalyst, which serves to increase reactions rates and, therefore, increase throughput with lower energy costs, and frequently to alter product selectivity. New catalysts and improved catalytic processes require both exploratory studies of possible new catalysts and the better mechanistic understanding of existing catalysts. In addition, more environmentally acceptable processes may result if existing catalytic systems that operate in organic solvents can be converted to aqueous solution processes. This project has objectives in all three of these areas.
