Allosteric Coordination Complexes

无机，生物无机和有机化学计划的这一奖项支持西北大学Chad A，Mirkin教授研究基于功能配位化学的系统的工作。该实验室正在利用一种合成方法来制备柔性超分子复合物，称为弱连接方法（WLA），从而产生允许人们在原位访问多种几何形状的结构。 使用这种配位化学方法，该实验室针对具有独特功能的变构和异配位系统，这些功能无法使用基于传统配位或有机化学的替代策略轻松访问。 通过这项工作，该实验室将设计：（1）具有信号放大能力的新型检测系统，在变构调节催化事件方面具有真正的“关-开”能力;（2）具有识别基团的结构，可以定向复杂的底物，用于底物的区域选择性催化功能化;和（3）可以在水性介质中发挥作用的系统（没有有机共溶剂）。迄今为止所证明的许多扩增系统的实际应用将需要这种复合物在水中起作用的能力。 这项工作将导致一类新的高灵敏度和选择性的化学检测系统的分析物是有害的环境和新的催化剂能够影响高价值的化学转化。此外，通过这项工作培训的博士后助理，研究生和本科生将获得使他们在美国化学工业中具有高度竞争力的技能。 在这三年的努力中，重点将放在将妇女和代表性不足的少数民族包括在内。

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry program supports work by Professor Chad A, Mirkin at Northwestern University to study functional coordination chemistry-based systems. The laboratory is utilizing a synthetic methodology for the preparation of flexible supramolecular complexes known as the Weak-Link Approach (WLA), resulting in structures that allow one to access multiple geometries in situ. Using this coordination-chemistry approach, the laboratory is targeting allosteric and heteroligated systems with unique functions that cannot easily be accessed using alternative strategies based on conventional coordination- or organic chemistry. Through this work, the laboratory will design: (1) novel detection systems with signal amplification capabilities that have true "off-on" capabilities in terms of the allosterically regulated catalytic event; (2) structures with recognition groups that can orient a complex substrate for the regioselective catalytic functionalization of the substrate; and (3) systems that can function in aqueous media (without organic co-solvents. Practical application of many of the amplification systems demonstrated thus far will require the ability for such complexes to function in water. The work will lead to a new class of highly sensitive and selective chemical detection systems for analytes that are hazardous to the environment and new catalysts capable of effecting high value chemical transformations. In addition, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate students trained through this work will gains skills that make them highly competitive in the US chemical industry. An emphasis will be placed on including women and under-represented minorities in the three year effort.