Exploratory Synthesis and Reactivity of Volatile Transition Metal Complexes and Use as Molecular Precursors

美国国家科学基金会化学部化学合成计划支持伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校的Gregory S.Girolami教授的项目，该项目旨在为薄膜的化学气相沉积(CVD)开发新的更好的分子前体。目前的工作将开发新的过渡金属化合物类别，特别是当它们与将这些分子用作金属和金属氧化物在具有深度垂直特征的表面上沉积的前体有关时。这项研究将使人们更好地了解挥发性过渡金属化合物的化学组成，以及如何使用它们来均匀填充这些深度特征，重点是更好地沉积电线和绝缘体的方法，这些都是现代计算机芯片的关键部件。这项工作将加强吉罗拉米？S教授团队与微电子开发领域领先公司之间业已存在的互动。该项目将直接促进理工科和博士生的教育和培训，其成果将通过在国际会议上发表演讲和在有声誉的科学期刊上发表来传播。该奖项将有助于对不同的本科生和研究生群体的教育，并使Girolami教授能够撰写简短的广播短片，突出公众感兴趣的最新科学进展。一项重要的国家科学需求是为化学气相沉积(CVD)薄膜开发新的更好的分子前驱体。目前的项目正在通过研究新的挥发性化合物(特别是过渡金属)的合成，研究它们的化学反应活性，以及研究它们的挥发性和作为薄膜前体的用途，直接促进了这一需求。目前项目的一些具体目标是合成含有硬-软络合配体的新络合物，以及合成高相对分子质量但仍具有高挥发性的化合物，这些化合物有望用于超共形薄膜的化学气相沉积。同时，将与这些技术方面的专家合作，研究这些新化合物在薄膜化学气相沉积中的应用。这些新分子的开发将导致性能更好的材料和新的制造方法，使集成电路继续小型化。这样，Girolami集团将有助于实现国际半导体技术路线图中最重要的“难题”之一：为薄膜的化学气相沉积(CVD)快速引入新材料/工艺。该项目位于无机化学和材料化学的交界处，非常适合各级科学家的教育。吉罗拉米？S教授团队也处于有利地位，可以为理科水平较低的学生提供最高水平的教育和培训。涉及制作和广播TinyTech电台插播的外联活动也将是受资助项目的一部分。

The Chemical Synthesis Program of the Chemistry Division of NSF supports the project by Professor Gregory S. Girolami of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to develop new and better molecular precursors for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of thin films. The current work will develop new classes of transition metal compounds, especially as they relate to the use of such molecules as precursors for the deposition of metals and metal oxides on surfaces with deep vertical features. The research will lead to a better understanding of the chemistry of volatile transition metal compounds and how they can be used to uniformly fill such deep features with a focus on better ways to deposit the wires and insulators that are key components of modern-day computer chips. The work will enhance already existing interactions between Professor Girolami?s group and leading companies in microelectronics development. This project will contribute directly to the education and training of B.S. and Ph.D. students, and the results will be disseminated by presentations at international conferences, and by publication in reputable scientific journals. This award will contribute to the education of a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students, and enable Professor Girolami to write short radio spots highlighting recent scientific advances of interest to the public. A vital national scientific need is the development of new and better molecular precursors for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of thin films. The current project is contributing directly to this need by investigating the synthesis of new volatile compounds (especially of the transition metals), investigations of their chemical reactivities, and studies of their volatilities and utilities as thin film precursors. Some of the specific objectives of the current project are the synthesis of new complexes containing hard-soft chelating ligands, and the synthesis of high molecular weight but still highly volatile compounds, which are expected to be useful for the CVD of superconformal thin films. In parallel, investigations of the use of these new compounds for the CVD of thin films will be carried out collaboratively with experts in these techniques. The development of these new molecules will lead to better performing materials and new fabrication methods that will enable the continued miniaturization of integrated circuits. In this way, the Girolami group will contribute to achieving one of the most important "Difficult Challenges" of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors: the rapid introduction of new materials/processes for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of thin films. The project lies at the interface of inorganic and materials chemistry, and is well suited for the education of scientists at all levels. Professor Girolami?s group is also well positioned to provide the highest level of education and training for students underrepresented in science. Outreach activities involving the production and broadcast of TinyTech radio spots will also be part of the funded project.