Main Group Organometallic Chemistry in the Hudnall Group
Our research is centered on utilizing main group elements to effect the activation of small molecules of industrial and biological importance (H2, NH3, CO, HCN or HF). The goal of this work is the discovery of new methodologies and materials for applications in catalysis, renewable energy and detection/remediation of chemical toxins. The primary areas of research include:
· synthesis of novel stable carbenes and main group carbene analogues
· characterization and reactivity studies of these discrete main group compounds
· understanding how modulation of the steric and electronic properties of carbenes enables the activation of H–X bonds for implementation into metal-free catalysis
· the development of new methodologies to prepare novel main group element-containing polymers for hydrogen activation/storage
· mechanochemical activation of latent main group Lewis pair catalysts for applications in self-healing materials and small molecule activation
Students in the Hudnall group will have the opportunity to develop a broad range of useful skills such as:
· the manipulation of air-sensitive materials (i.e. Schlenk and glove box techniques)
· novel methods of polymer synthesis and characterization
· multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 11B, 31P, 19F etc.)
· X-ray crystallographic analysis
· electrochemical analysis including cyclic voltammetry, differential pulsed voltammetry and chronoamperometry
· Computational analysis such as density functional theory and molecular modeling
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