Inorganic Chemistry Research

Synthesis and Characterization of Triazole Based Carbene Molybdenum (II) Complexes

N-heterocyclic carbenes have sometimes been considered alternatives to phosphines as spectator ligands in homogeneous catalysis, and share with them the possibility of tuning catalyst activity by varying the substitution scheme of the ligand. The triazole based carbenes have been relatively little studied thus far, but are very promising ligands for catalytic applications. A series of new triazole based carbene molybdenum (II) complexes will be synthesized and characterized using multinuclear NMR, IR and elemental analysis. Their catalytic activity will be studied in organic synthesis.

Synthesis of Rhodium Imidazole Based Carbene Complexes

Carbenes are two non-bonding electrons that are usually highly reactive but are able to be stabilized by a metal complex.  The somewhat acidic proton, between the two nitrogen atoms in an imidazolium ring, will react with a base leaving a carbene behind.  A Rh complex Rh(Cl)2(NO)(PPh3)2 for example, can then be reacted with the carbene to form a Rh imidazole complex.  Attached to the imidazolium ring are two wingtips extended from the two nitrogen atoms.  Different complexes can be made with different properties when the wingtips are altered.  These complexes are important for their catalytic properties and will be observed during the duration of the formation of these complexes.  Throughout the synthesis of these complexes, testing will be done using the H-NMR, C-NMR, IR spectrometer, and the mass spectrometer.