Low coordinate main group compounds: Reagents for small molecule activation and building blocks for heavy multiple bonds

随着全球对能源需求的增加，我们也需要探索化石燃料的替代能源。无论是作为一个国家还是作为一个国际社会，使用替代燃料来源代替燃烧碳氢化合物对我们的环境和经济都有好处。氢是一种“绿色能源”，其燃烧产生的唯一副产品是水，是一种正在考虑的能源。在筛选潜在能源时，必须考虑消费者的输送系统和储存。虽然氢气可以作为加压气体储存，但它有潜在的危险。然而，氢可以安全地储存在化学键中。为了使一种化合物成为化学储氢的候选物，它必须能够添加氢，形成新的元素氢键，然后在需要燃烧时释放氢气。我们将研究新型二配位的15族阳离子、13族阴离子和富电子、低氧化态的14族化合物对氢的加成和释放的反应性，目的是开发一种安全实用的化学键储氢系统。我们还将研究这些化合物对二氧化碳、二氧化氮和氨等其他小分子的反应性。

As the global demand for energy increases, so does our need to explore alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. Using alternative fuel sources instead of burning hydrocarbons benefits us environmentally and economically, both as a country and as an international community. Hydrogen, which is a "green energy source" that results in water as the only by-product from its combustion, is one source of energy under consideration. When screening potential energy sources the delivery system and storage for consumers must be considered. Although hydrogen can be stored as a pressurised gas, it is potentially hazardous. Hydrogen, however, can be stored safely in chemical bonds. In order for a compound to be a candidate for chemical hydrogen storage, it must be able to add hydrogen, forming new element-hydrogen bonds, then release hydrogen gas when needed for combustion. We will be examining the reactivity of novel dicoordinate Group 15 cations, Group 13 anions and electron-rich, low-oxidation state Group 14 compounds towards hydrogen addition and release, with the goals of developing a system for safe and practical hydrogen storage in chemical bonds. We will also be looking at the reactivity of these compounds towards other small molecules such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ammonia.