Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Research in the Hayes group focuses on the preparation and study of unusual and unique molecules for application in new chemical transformations and catalysis. Specifically, one portion of my research program is concentrated upon preparing new catalyst systems for the polymerization of lactones. The impetus for this work stems from the fact that polylactones, especially, polylactide, PLA, and polycaprolactone, PCL, exhibit similar bulk properties as polyethylene and polypropylene, but are biodegradable and biologically compatible. In addition, the synthetic precursors to PLA can be found in inexpensive renewable resources, such as beets and corn. Despite these benefits, current technologies offer very little control over key features of the polymer. We have developed a strategy based upon the synthesis of cationic magnesium and zinc species, which, due to their positive charge and vacant coordination site are highly active lactone polymerization catalysts. A second component of my program aims to establish a better understanding of molecules with novel structural and electronic properties, as well as elementary reaction steps that can occur at metal centres. We prepare supporting scaffolds for these metals known as ancillary ligands. These ligands have been specifically designed to stabilize metals which are both spatially accessible to small organic molecules, and electronically unusual. These types of molecules are virtually unknown and should provide access to unprecedented bonding, structure, reactivity and catalysis. Such complexes will be of keen interest from the perspectives of fundamental significance and long term application. In summary, this program aims to contribute to the fundamental knowledge base used to design new chemical reactions and catalytic processes. Since catalysis is crucial to many aspects of Canada's economy, advances in the field can have an enormous impact.