U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research: Electronic Interaction of Germanium with Orbitals on Carbon

该奖项将支持西北大学化学系Joseph B.Lambert教授和东京大学化学系Takeuchi Yoshito教授之间为期两年的合作研究项目。科学家们将合作对元素锗的化学进行基础研究，特别是含有锗-碳键的化合物，即所谓的有机锗化合物。锗与碳和硅在元素周期表中属于同一族，其化学结构显示出与这些元素，特别是硅的一些相似之处。有机硅化合物在过去的二十年里得到了很好的研究，人们对其结构、反应和实际应用都有了很大的了解。锗的化学不太发达，但早期硅工作的成功结果引起了人们对这种不太常见的元素进行类似研究的浓厚兴趣。兰伯特教授和吉藤教授一直在独立开展锗化学的研究项目，现在计划合作对几种有机锗化合物进行联合调查，特别是因为它们在导致对这些分子中的键的基本了解方面的潜力而被选中。科学家们为联合项目带来了相似和互补的专业知识和设施。一些正在调查的物质的化学合成将由东京小组进行，另一些将由西北大学的研究人员进行。用于这项检查的实验技术包括化学动力学以及核磁共振、电子自旋共振和紫外光电子能谱。还将进行相关的理论计算。在这次合作研究中寻求的基本化学信息预计将为锗化学后来的实际应用开发所需的一些重要基础工作奠定基础，可能是在化学合成、电子、制药和其他领域。该项目汇集了两个在这一领域拥有丰富经验的研究小组。通过合作，科学家们希望大大加强他们各自的计划，从而显著提高我们对锗化学的了解。

This award will support a two-year cooperative research project between Professor Joseph B. Lambert, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, and Professor Takeuchi Yoshito, Department of Chemistry, The University of Tokyo. The scientists will collaborate in fundamental studies of the chemistry of the element germanium, particularly compounds containing germanium-carbon bonds, so-called organogermanium compounds. Germanium is in the same group of the periodic table of the elements as are carbon and silicon, and its chemistry shows some similarities to those elements, especially silicon. Organosilicon compounds have been well studied in the past twenty years, and much is known about their structure, reactions, and practical applications. The chemistry of germanium is less well developed, but the successful results of the earlier silicon work have given rise to considerable interest in pursuing analogous studies of this less common element. Professors Lambert and Yoshito have independently pursued programs of study of germanium chemistry, and plan now to cooperate in a joint investigation of several organogermanium compounds especially selected for their potential in leading to a basic understanding of the bonding in these molecules. The scientists bring both similar as well as complementary expertise and facilities to the joint project. Some of the chemical syntheses of the substances under investigation will be carried out by the Tokyo group, and others by the Northwestern researchers. Experimental techniques to be used in this examination include those of chemical kinetics as well as nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies. Associated theoretical calculations will also be carried out. The basic chemical information sought in this cooperative study is expected to lay some of the important ground work needed for the development of later practical applications of germanium chemistry, possibly in chemical synthesis, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and other areas. The project brings together two research groups with considerable experience in this field. By collaborating, the scientists expect to enhance their individual programs, and thus our knowledge of the chemistry of germanium, significantly.