High Potential Redox Couples: Design Strategies for Survival in Diverse Environments

在化学系化学结构、动态和机理B计划的资助下，肯塔基大学化学系的苏珊·奥多姆教授正在开发高氧化电位有机化合物作为非水电解液电池的电活性成分，并开发一个架子稳定的有机自由基阳离子盐库作为化学试剂。这项研究可能对锂离子电池高压阴极的过充电保护产生重大影响。它还可能导致更有效地制备具有药用价值的活性成分。这个项目连接了有机、材料和电化学，准备培养学生进行高度协作的研究。通过一年一度的Expansion Your Horizons会议，对STEM领域感兴趣的中学女生成为外展活动的焦点。共轭有机化合物的自由基阳离子的反应活性很难预测，这些单一被氧化物种的电子缺乏和自由基性质的结合使反应变得复杂。尽管自由基阳离子被直接使用或作为中间体出现在许多应用中，但由于对导致稳定氧化态的因素的有限了解，阻碍了开发新材料的进展。通过拟议的研究，该研究小组希望开发具有稳定自由基阳离子的电活性材料，并扩大这些物种的使用环境。除了用于锂离子电池过充电保护的更有效的化合物和用于有机合成的新试剂外，这项研究还将阐明自由基阳离子的反应机理，以更好地了解这些电子缺乏物种的稳定性和分解途径。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In this project, funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamic & Mechanism B Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Susan Odom of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky is developing high-oxidation-potential organic compounds to serve as electro-active components of batteries with non-aqueous electrolytes, and to develop a library of shelf-stable and organic radical cation salts for use as chemical reagents. The research could have significant impacts on overcharge protection of high-voltage cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. It could also lead to more efficient preparation of active components of pharmaceutical values. This project, which bridges organic, materials, and electro-chemistry, is poised to train students in highly collaborative research. Through annual Expanding Your Horizons Conferences, middle school girls with interest in STEM fields are the focus of outreach activities.The reactivity of radical cations of conjugated organic compounds is difficult to predict, complicated by the combination of the electron deficient and radical nature of these singly oxidized species. Despite the numerous applications in which radical cations are used directly or appear as intermediates, progress in developing new materials is hindered due to the limited understanding of factors leading to stable oxidized states. Through the proposed research, this research group hopes to develop electro-active materials with stable radical cations and to extend the environments in which these species can be utilized. In addition to more efficient compounds for overcharge protections in lithium-ion batteries and new reagents for organic synthesis, the research will elucidate reaction mechanisms of radical cations for a greater understanding of the stability and decomposition pathways of these electron-deficient species.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.