An inert-atmosphere glovebox workstation for inorganic synthesis

我的团队从事金属离子化学的研究，对氧化过程特别感兴趣。工业非常需要能源可行和环境友好的反应，将碳氢化合物、石油和天然气的成分转化为有用的化学品。然而，在温和的条件下，碳氢化合物的直接氧化转化仍然非常困难。大自然通过使用在环境友好的条件下工作的含有金属的酶来优化许多这样的反应；因此，这是这种化学的巨大灵感来源。因此，我的团队的研究目标有两个：(1)了解酶效率的来源，(2)制备能够执行类似反应的催化剂。我们最初的方法是用含有金属的小分子(称为金属络合物)来模拟酶的活性部位，并研究它们的反应行为。模型和酶的比较将使我们了解实现强烈反应活性所必需的因素。接下来，我们将把这些因素落实到金属络合物中，以执行高效的催化。在短期内，这项研究将提供更好的了解(1)大自然使用的工具包，以及(2)如何使用氧气作为一种清洁的氧化剂，不产生废物。从长远来看，我们的发现将指导氧化碳氢化合物转化的设计，将步骤数和废物副产品降至最低。由于金属络合物的设计是高度活性的，它们需要在没有氧气和水的情况下制备。本申请中所要求的设备用于这一目的：手套盒将确保高质量的惰性气氛，而溶剂净化系统将干燥并从用于制备活性金属络合物的溶剂中去除氧气。

My group pursues research in the chemistry of metal ions and is specifically interested in oxidation processes. Industry has a great need for energetically viable and environmentally friendly reactions that convert hydrocarbons, the constituents of oil and natural gas, into useful chemicals. Yet, the direct oxidative transformation of hydrocarbons remains tremendously difficult to achieve in mild conditions. Nature has optimised many such reactions through the use of metal-containing enzymes which operate in environmentally friendly conditions; it is therefore a great source of inspiration for this chemistry. The research goals of my group are thus two-fold: (1) understand the origin of the efficiency of the enzymes, and (2) prepare catalysts that can perform similar reactions. Our initial approach is to model the enzymatic active sites with small metal-containing molecules (called metal complexes) and study their reactivity behaviour. Comparison of the models and the enzymes will inform us on the factors necessary to achieve a strong reactivity. Next, we will implement these factors in metal complexes to perform efficient catalysis. In the short term, this research will provide a better understanding of (1) the toolkit used by nature and (2) how to use oxygen as a clean oxidant that generates no waste. In the long term, our discoveries will guide the design of oxidative hydrocarbon transformations that minimise the number of steps and waste by-products. Because the metal complexes are designed to be highly reactive, they require to be prepared in the absence of oxygen and water. The equipment requested in the present application serves this purpose: the glovebox worstation will ensure an inert atmosphere of high quality while the solvent purification system will dry and remove oxygen from the solvents used to prepare the reactive metal complexes.