Main-Group meets Early Transition-Metal and f-Block Chemistry

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Lichtenthaler
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 288099196

Highly reactive main-group based cations are successfully applied as oxidant, complex ligand, Lewis-, Brønstedt acid and polymerization catalyst, thus being an important contribution both to fundamental and applied science. The crucial stabilization of the cations in condensed phased is based on the usage of weakly coordinating anions that minimize the cation-anion interaction. During a two year long postdoctoral stay at the University of California, Berkeley, the reaction potential of the cations shall be first investigated concerning different transition-metal (group 4, 5) and f-block compounds. The resultant organometallic complexes shall be isolated, thoroughly characterized and applied as catalysts and initiators in olefin polymerizations and small molecule activations (e.g. CO, H2, P4). The main synthetic targets are: i) highly reactive ziconocenes that enable more efficient olefin polymerizations, ii) cationic Nb- and Ta-complexes that are able to activate small molecules as well as iii) the first cationic and covalently bound Ga-Nd/U-complexes that can be of use concerning nuclear waste management. Through the investigations synergistic effects between main-group and transition-metal chemistry shall be identified and innovative catalytic systems developed. The entire project will be accompanied by quantum-chemical calculations in order to understand the thermodynamic and reactivities of the obtained species as well as to elucidate potential reaction mechanisms.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. John Arnold