Design of New Metal Complexes toward C-F Activation
Poster Number
23
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Qinliang Zhao
Faculty Mentor Department
Chemistry
Abstract/Artist Statement
The accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as fluorocarbons, in the atmosphere leads to the depletion of the Earth's protective ozone layer. The importance of eliminating harmful contaminates from our environment drew our interest towards the design of new ligands to establish secondary metal to fluorine interactions. These secondary M-F interactions are thought to facilitate the activation of a C-F bond. Through the activation of a C-F bond, the fluorocarbons are then converted into harmless C-H bonds. However, activation of a C-F bond is a tremendously difficult task because it is one of the strongest bonds between a carbon atom and an element. In the past, formamidines have demonstrated strong ability to coordinate group 1 and group 2 metal ions. The unique structure of formamidines promote coordination of metal ions. In addition to activation of a C-F bond, by exploiting the reductive potential of transition metals, we explore the possibility of using these complexes as catalyst. This project seeks to design and synthesize fluoro-containing formamidine ligands that will bind transition metal ions. 2-fluoroaniline and trimethylorthoformate was refluxed overnight in toluene to evaporate off the ethanol by-product. The fine white crystal product, N,N Bis-(2- fluorophenyl)-formamidine, is then washed with hexane and dried under vacuum. The crystals are then analyzed via NMR spectroscopy and DART mass spectroscopy. The data is compared with theoretical data as well as previous experimental data to verify structures. Preliminary results show the product is present. Current focus is on perfecting the synthesis in order to maximize yield and purity. My poster will detail the synthesis of the ligand along with data to verify its presence. Future plans to install M-F secondary interactions that may shed light on the understanding of C-F activation will also be presented.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
25-4-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2015 4:00 PM
Design of New Metal Complexes toward C-F Activation
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
The accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as fluorocarbons, in the atmosphere leads to the depletion of the Earth's protective ozone layer. The importance of eliminating harmful contaminates from our environment drew our interest towards the design of new ligands to establish secondary metal to fluorine interactions. These secondary M-F interactions are thought to facilitate the activation of a C-F bond. Through the activation of a C-F bond, the fluorocarbons are then converted into harmless C-H bonds. However, activation of a C-F bond is a tremendously difficult task because it is one of the strongest bonds between a carbon atom and an element. In the past, formamidines have demonstrated strong ability to coordinate group 1 and group 2 metal ions. The unique structure of formamidines promote coordination of metal ions. In addition to activation of a C-F bond, by exploiting the reductive potential of transition metals, we explore the possibility of using these complexes as catalyst. This project seeks to design and synthesize fluoro-containing formamidine ligands that will bind transition metal ions. 2-fluoroaniline and trimethylorthoformate was refluxed overnight in toluene to evaporate off the ethanol by-product. The fine white crystal product, N,N Bis-(2- fluorophenyl)-formamidine, is then washed with hexane and dried under vacuum. The crystals are then analyzed via NMR spectroscopy and DART mass spectroscopy. The data is compared with theoretical data as well as previous experimental data to verify structures. Preliminary results show the product is present. Current focus is on perfecting the synthesis in order to maximize yield and purity. My poster will detail the synthesis of the ligand along with data to verify its presence. Future plans to install M-F secondary interactions that may shed light on the understanding of C-F activation will also be presented.