CAREER: New Group VI Catalysts for Nitrile-Alkyne Cross Metathesis (NACM): Design, synthesis, and application of trianionic pincer ligands

这项由无机化学、生物无机化学和金属有机化学项目颁发的职业奖项支持佛罗里达大学的Adam S.Veige教授的工作，他使用一种新型的硬-硬-硬三阴离子钳形配体开发了用于腈-烷交叉歧化(NACM)反应的催化剂。这些配体旨在稳定高氧化态的早期过渡金属。未被探索的NACM催化反应将考察钳形配体对M-N多键的反式影响，特别是在化学计量和催化交换反应中。这项研究将带来削弱M-N键的新方法，M-N键往往太稳定，NACM无法有效工作。在直接有机合成中，由于催化剂可以为化学工业和制药工业提供更环保的合成方法，因此，炔烃/腈类化合物的合成可能具有广泛的适用性。除了对本科生和研究生进行研究技巧培训外，Veige教授还希望通过“购物中心化学日”外展活动，激发广大受众对研究的兴趣。这些活动将鼓励科学家将接触公众视为他们职业生涯中预期的一部分，同时鼓励年轻学生考虑科学职业。

This CAREER award by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports the work of Professor Adam S. Veige at the University of Florida to develop catalysts for Nitrile-Alkyne Cross Metathesis (NACM) reactions using a new class of hard-hard-hard, trianionic pincer ligands. These ligands are designed to stabilize high oxidation state, early transition metals. The under-explored NACM catalysis reactions will examine the trans-influence of the pincer ligands on M-N multiple bonds, particularly in stoichiometric and catalytic exchange reactions. This research will lead to new methods for weakening M-N bonds, which are often too stable for NACM to work efficiently. The synthesis of alkyne/nitrile complexes may have broad applicability as a tool in directed organic synthesis as the catalysts could find offer more environmentally-friendly methods of synthesis for both the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to training undergraduate and graduate students in research techniques, the Professor Veige hopes to inspire wide audiences to develop an interest in research through "Chemistry Day at the Mall" outreach activities. These activities will encourage scientists to see outreach to the public as an expected part of their professional career while encouraging younger students to consider scientific careers.