RUI: Catalytic Hydrolysis of Phosphonothioate Toxins by Molybdocene Complexes

化学催化项目支持路易斯·Y. Kuo的刘易斯和克拉克学院的研究，在金或银纳米颗粒或聚合物树脂的存在下使用双茂络合物进行硫代膦酸酯水解。 该项目的重点是提高硫代膦酸酯水解的周转率，同时了解与选择性P-S断裂相关的立体化学，电子和空间因素以及由双茂催化剂提供的速率加速。 将各种异十二碳烯的结构与它们的催化活性进行比较，以确定影响反应性和选择性的重要关系。 硫代膦酸酯是杀虫剂和化学武器中发现的化合物，其解毒具有实际重要性。 在这项研究中使用的二茂化合物是第一批在水中和非常温和的条件和温度下破坏这些潜在的环境毒物的化合物之一。 该计划中包括的实验很好地融入了本科课程。 几种钼配合物和纳米颗粒在普通化学实验室或由高水平的无机化学学生合成。 郭教授参加了屡获殊荣的“星期六学院”，这是一个让高中生在他的研究小组进行暑期实习的项目。

The Chemical Catalysis Program supports the efforts of Professor Louis Y. Kuo of Lewis and Clark College in the study of phosphonothioate hydrolysis using molybdocene complexes in the presence of either gold or silver nanoparticles or polymer resins. This project focuses on improving the turnover of phosphonothioate hydrolysis while developing an understanding of the stereochemical, electronic and steric factors associated with selective P-S scission and the rate acceleration provided by the molybdocene catalysts. The structures of the various molybdocenes are compared with their catalytic activities to determine the important relationships that impact reactivity and selectivity. The detoxification of phosphonothioates, compounds found in insecticides and chemical weapons, is of practical importance. The molybdocene compounds used in this study are among the first to destroy these potential environmental poisons, in water and under very mild conditions and temperatures. The experiments included in this program are well-integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. Several of the molybdenum complexes and nanoparticles are synthesized either in the general chemistry laboratory or by the upper level inorganic chemistry students. Professor Kuo participates in the award-winning "Saturday Academy", a program that enables high school students to conduct summer internships in his research group.