Discovery and Creation of Metal Carbonyl (MC) Supramolecular Chemistry

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Based on Dr Wang's invention of migration insertion polymerization (MIP) and recent discoveries of metal carbonyl (MC) self-assembled vesicles, MC supramolecular chemistry is proposed. The originality and novelty of the proposed work will lead to new directions of research for several fields, including supramolecular chemistry, organometallic polymer and colloids. With sufficient support, Dr Wang will be an international leader in these fields. Dr Wang discovered that hydrophobic, non-surface active CpPPh3Fe(CO)CO(CH2)5CH3 (FpC6), as an MC building block, can self-assemble in water into uniform vesicles with high membrane integration. The colloids are stabilized via the balance of water-carbonyl interaction (WCI), hydrophobic hydration (HH) and hydrophobic interaction (HI). This aqueous behavior of MCs bears a resemblance to many natural systems, e.g. proteins. MC supramolecular chemistry will therefore offer an experimental system to verify the arbitrary theories for WCI, HH and HI established mainly based on complicated biological systems and computation chemistry. FpC6 is also able to assemble in solid state into the first example of well-characterized supramolecular duplex chains via intermolecular pi-pi interaction and hydrogen bonding with CO as acceptor. This discovery is achieved via reverse crystal engineering. By varying the chemical structure of MCs, assembling conditions and additives, unusual opportunities arise to learn the synergy of multiple interactions that is essential for designed synthesis. The duplex chains, rarely observed, are potentially useful materials with combined properties of macromolecules and locally ordered MC groups, providing new concepts for industrial R covered with MCs. This unique feature will be explored for potential applications as nanoreactors and scavengers for contaminants in water. This research will: 1) create an experimental system bridging natural assembling systems and supramolecular chemistry; 2) create new concepts for novel materials; 3) advance a number of scientific frontiers, including organometallic polymers, supramolecular chemistry and aqueous colloids; 4) provide a cutting-edge training platform. Canadian science and industry will therefore benefit from the expected world-firsts in knowledge and HQPs behind them.