Developing New Approaches for Main-Group Molecules and Materials in Catalysis

主基团化学的复兴使人们关注于探索从含硼和磷的分子中提取的前所未有的反应性。在许多情况下，这些无金属体系提供了新的和有趣的方式来影响化学转化，曾经只有过渡金属配合物才能实现。尽管如此，目前的技术仍然存在缺陷，这使得它在工业上与过渡金属介导的工艺竞争具有挑战性。该研究计划的首要主题是通过设计、合成和表征新的低成本分子和源自主族元素的材料来解决这些缺点。更具体地说，一种方法侧重于利用独特的分子结构在添加外部刺激物后诱导反应性，从而形成刘易斯酸性开关。模块化结构将允许高度可调的属性，将调整反应性。利用从第一个流中获得的知识，第二个流研究这些开关在解决困难的化学转化中的应用，包括一些可持续能源应用所需的化学转化。最后，该计划的第三个流程旨在采用自下而上的方法设计刘易斯酸性材料，利用自组装将刘易斯酸性功能整合到多孔有机网络中。这些新材料将被探索作为重要化学转化的可回收材料，这些化学转化通常消耗昂贵的贵金属。***建议的研究计划涵盖了广泛的化学主题，包括无机，有机和材料化学。虽然本质上是根本性的，但它针对当前最先进技术的严重缺陷，目标是开发现有金属基工艺的可行替代方案。化学品、材料和能源的生产是加拿大经济不可分割的组成部分。开发新材料、新化学品和新工艺对开发高新技术产品乃至最终发展商业至关重要。拟议的无金属材料的发展将影响工业中使用的催化过程，从而减少有害排放，并以更环保、更环保的方式生产不含贵金属的理想材料。因此，将加拿大定位在这些颠覆性技术发展的前沿，以实现可持续的未来。

The renaissance in main-group chemistry has thrust a spotlight onto exploring unprecedented reactivity extracted from molecules containing boron and phosphorus. In many cases, these metal-free systems provide new and interesting ways to effect chemical transformations once only attainable by transition metal complexes. Still, drawbacks exist to current technology which makes it challenging to compete industrially with transition metal mediated processes. The overarching theme of the proposed research program is to tackle these drawbacks through the design, synthesis and characterization of new, low-cost molecules and materials derived from main-group elements. More specifically, one stream focuses on using unique molecular architecture to induce reactivity upon addition of an external stimulant to develop a Lewis acidic switch. The modular construction will allow for highly adjustable properties that will tune reactivity. Utilizing knowledge gained from the first stream, the second stream investigates the applications of these switches in tackling difficult chemical transformations, including some which are required for sustainable energy applications. Lastly, the third stream in the program targets a bottom-up approach to designing Lewis acidic materials, utilizing self assembly to integrate Lewis acidic functionalities into porous organic networks. These novel materials will be explored as recyclable materials for important chemical transformations, ones which typically consume expensive precious metals. ***The proposed research program covers a breadth of chemistry topics, encompassing inorganic, organic and materials chemistry. While fundamental in nature, it targets serious deficiencies in the current state-of-the-art technology with goals of developing viable alternatives to current metal-based processes. The production of chemicals, materials and energy is an integral component of the Canadian economy. Developing new materials, chemicals and processes are of utmost importance to the development of new, high technology products and ultimately, businesses. The development of the proposed metal-free materials will impact catalytic processes used in industry, resulting in the reduction of harmful emissions and produce desirable materials without precious metals in a greener, environmentally friendly manner. Thus, positioning Canada at the forefront of the development of these disruptive technologies for a sustainable future.