Research

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Overview:

Our lab seeks to the development of synthetic inorganic functional molecules and materials: (1) Model complexes of the active sites of metal containing enzymes; (2) Transition metal compounds with novel structural features and spectroscopic properties; (3) Small molecular activation by transition metal complexes. Currently, our research program focuses on the nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide activation and construction of dynamic coordination polymer materials. The general approach is design and synthesize organic ligand systems to support transition metal ion to obtain the materials with novel functions. Students have opportunities to learn organic/inorganic synthesis, X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic characterization (NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis, CV, MS and EPR) and Schlenk line techniques.

1. Activation of N2O and CO2 by transition metal complexes.

Both N2O and CO2 are green houses gases in atmosphere and they are very important chemstock in chemical industry. N2O could be used as an oxidant and transfer its oxygen atom to organic substrate while CO2 could be converted to organic compounds such as methanol, carbonates, ureas, formic acids, etc. Our research goal is to prepare transition metal complexes which can catalytically react with N2O and CO2. We are particularly interested in trapping the possible reaction intermediates and elucidating the reaction mechanism.

2. Construction of dynamic coordination polymer materials.

Guest-host chemistry of small gas molecules, such as H2, N2 and CO2, with dynamic porous coordination polymers (DPCPs) has attracted considerable attention due to the high selectivity and efficiency of these materials. In pursuit of new generation of DPCPs, we are trying to synthesize a serials of organic ligands functionalized with amide groups, which are expected to significantly improve the flexibility of the framework and improve the interaction between guest molecules and the host surface. Transition metal compounds with various nuclearity will be prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy methods. The interesting structural and spectroscopic features of these complexes will further enhance the understanding of ligand design and polymer construction, which are major contributors for adsorption properties of DPCP materials.