Highly Sterically-Crowded Subvalent Group 14 Compounds: Unexpected Structures and High Reactivity with Small Molecules

A series of new compounds, MAr2 (M = Ge, Sn, or Pb; Ar = terphenyl ligands) display structures and structural trends that are counter-intuitive with regard to steric effects. These trends are also reflected in their spectroscopic properties and in their reaction chemistry. It was found that the presence or absence of substituents at apparently-remote sites on the ligands can exert a large influence on the course of the reactions, as well as on the structural characteristics of the group 14 element environment. Their reactions with a range of olefins and carbon monoxide, which showed unexpected trends, will be shown. In addition, the reactions of the related subvalent hydrides, ArMH, with a range of olefins and alkyne molecules, as well as the unexpected compounds that are formed, will be presented. A notable feature of their behavior is their ability to induce unexpected isomerizations in the olefin substrates. Finally, it is proposed that many of the peculiar properties of the compounds is related to the presence of dispersion force interactions of their ligand substituents.

3:30pm | Mechanical Engineering Building (MEC) Rm 205
2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
Professor Philip Power
University of California at Davis
Professor Robert Gilliard