Main group synthetic, structural and materials chemistry

这一提议涉及对主族元素的化学性质进行基础广泛的调查，主族元素的分类包括许多最丰富的元素，如硅、磷和硫，以及一些不太常见的元素，如硒和碲。除了对结构和化学键合的新方面的基本兴趣之外，这些元素的化合物在材料科学、替代能源、催化和药物化学等领域的许多用途已经被确定。 为了评估主族元素化合物的潜在应用，有必要对其基础化学有全面的了解。因此，这项研究计划的主要目标是提供这种见解，以便它可以应用于创造具有有用特性的新型材料。主要重点将是新的硫族元素化学（硫，硒和碲）的基本方面。为此，第一步是探索新化合物的合适合成方法。随后通过各种光谱方法和（在固态下）X射线晶体学确定分子结构。在选定的情况下，还将计算电子结构，并通过电化学技术和EPR光谱的组合探测氧化还原行为。 要研究的基本化学包括：（a）新型多齿硫属元素中心配体的金属络合物，包括配位聚合物;（B）这些金属络合物的氧化还原行为，以产生稳定或持久的自由基物质;（c）用于合成金属硫属元素化物薄膜和纳米材料的新分子前体。这些研究的潜在应用范围从生物化学（理解金属-二硫属化物相互作用的氧化还原化学）到材料科学（用于电子设备的新形式半导体）。

This proposal involves a broadly based investigation of the chemistry of the main group elements, a classification that includes many of the most abundant elements such as silicon, phosphorus and sulfur, as well as some of the less common elements, e.g.selenium and tellurium. In addition to the fundamental interest in novel aspects of structure and chemical bonding, many uses of compounds of these elements in areas such as materials science, alternative energy sources, catalysis and medicinal chemistry have been identified. In order to assess the potential applications of main group element compounds, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of their fundamental chemistry. Therefore, the primary objective of this research program is to provide that insight so that it can be applied in the creation of novel materials with useful properties. The main focus will be the fundamental aspects of novel chalcogen chemistry (sulfur, selenium and tellurium). To this end the first step involves is the exploration of suitable synthetic methods for new compounds. This is followed by the determination of molecular structures by a variety of spectroscopic methods and (in the solid state) by X-ray crystallography. In selected cases electronic structures will also be calculated and redox behaviour probed by a combination of electrochemical techniques and EPR spectroscopy. The fundamental chemistry to be investigated includes (a) metal complexes of novel, multidentate chalcogen-centred ligands, including coordination polymers, (b) redox behaviour of these metal complexes with a view to generating stable or persistent radical species, and (c) new molecular precursors for the synthesis of metal chalcogenide thin films and nanomaterials. Potential applications of these studies range from biological chemistry (understanding the redox chemistry of metal-dichalcogenide interactions) to materials science (new forms of semiconductors for electronic devices).