1-Metallacyclobuta-2,3-dienes – from lab curiosities to modular catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic polymers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Torsten Beweries
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 452714985

Metallacyles of early transition metals are interesting compounds for a variety of stoichiometric and catalytic applications. In recent years, the integration of new methodological approaches has provided important insights into the structure and bonding of unusual metallacyles such as 1-metallacyclobuta-2,3-dienes, which have formed the basis for the utilisation of such compounds in catalytic applications. The aim of this project is to expand the compound class of the highly unusual 1-metallacyclobuta-2,3-dienes (organometallic analogs of elusive 1,2-cyclobutadiene) and to investigate their redox chemistry and their potential in alkyne polymerisation catalysis. At the centre of the investigations is the question of whether these metallacycles can be converted into catalytically active species by ring opening. To this end, the accessibility of the alkylidene resonance of 1-metallacyclobuta-2,3-dienes will be investigated. In addition, the knowledge gained so far will be transferred to complexes with non-metallocene-based ligands. The comprehensive systematic spectroscopic and theoretical characterisation of the new 1-metallacyclobuta-2,3-dienes and their derivatives is an important goal. The knowledge gained in this way will be important for areas of polymerisation catalysis, organometallic chemistry and theoretical inorganic chemistry.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Daniel J. Mindiola