Transition metal organofluorine chemsitry

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Organofluorine compounds are useful as anesthetics, refrigerants, propellants for drug delivery, foam-blowing agents, water- and stain-repellants, lubricants and non-flammable solvents. While many of these compounds are non-toxic, they tend to persist in the environment and their manufacturing processes often involve significant quantities of toxic reagents such as chloro-alkenes and heavy metals such as antimony. In this research program, new metal organo-fluorine chemistry will be investigated with an eye to developing 'green' catalyzed routes to these important compounds. The chemistry will focus on easily prepared complexes of earth-abundant metals such as iron and nickel to mediate reactions of hydrofluoroalkenes generated by in situ reduction of non-toxic precursors. The resulting range of hydrofluorocarbon products will share many of the useful properties of perfluorocarbons but the reactive C-H bonds will guarantee their more rapid environmental degradation. Fluoropolymers such as Teflon and Viton also have many important uses such as non-stick coatings, heat- and wear-resistant seals and gaskets, fireproof insulation and 'breathable' clothing. These polymers are currently prepared using radical initiators either at high pressures or as aqueous emulsions using environmentally problematic surfactants such as perfluorooctanoic acid. This research program will conduct an in-depth study of the generation and reactivity of metal fluoro- and organo-fluorocarbene complexes (M=CHR, R = F, fluoroalkyl) to identify new catalysts for preparation of fluoropolymers with stereodefined microstructure. Exciting technical and intellectual challenges for the students include synthesis of air- and water-sensitive materials, sometimes at low temperatures, and hands-on access to rapid throughput experimentation, electrochemistry and computational chemistry facilities within the Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation.