RUI: Catalytic Hydrolysis of Phosphonothioate Toxins by Molybdocene Complexes

化学催化项目支持Lewis and Clark College的Louis Y. Kuo教授在金或银纳米颗粒或聚合物树脂存在下使用钼烯配合物水解磷硫酸盐的研究。该项目的重点是提高磷硫酸水解的周转率，同时了解与选择性P-S裂解有关的立体化学、电子和空间因素，以及钼烯催化剂提供的速率加速。比较了各种辉钼矿物的结构及其催化活性，确定了影响反应活性和选择性的重要关系。磷硫酸盐是杀虫剂和化学武器中发现的化合物，它的解毒作用具有重要的实际意义。本研究中使用的二茂钼化合物是首批在水中和非常温和的条件和温度下破坏这些潜在环境毒素的化合物之一。本课程的实验内容与本科课程相结合。几种钼配合物和纳米颗粒是在普通化学实验室或由高级无机化学学生合成的。郭教授参加了屡获殊荣的“周六学院”，这是一个让高中生在他的研究小组中进行暑期实习的计划。

The Chemical Catalysis Program supports the efforts of Professor Louis Y. Kuo of Lewis and Clark College in the study of phosphonothioate hydrolysis using molybdocene complexes in the presence of either gold or silver nanoparticles or polymer resins. This project focuses on improving the turnover of phosphonothioate hydrolysis while developing an understanding of the stereochemical, electronic and steric factors associated with selective P-S scission and the rate acceleration provided by the molybdocene catalysts. The structures of the various molybdocenes are compared with their catalytic activities to determine the important relationships that impact reactivity and selectivity. The detoxification of phosphonothioates, compounds found in insecticides and chemical weapons, is of practical importance. The molybdocene compounds used in this study are among the first to destroy these potential environmental poisons, in water and under very mild conditions and temperatures. The experiments included in this program are well-integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. Several of the molybdenum complexes and nanoparticles are synthesized either in the general chemistry laboratory or by the upper level inorganic chemistry students. Professor Kuo participates in the award-winning "Saturday Academy", a program that enables high school students to conduct summer internships in his research group.