Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Access to a modern inert atmosphere glovebox is critical to support my research program `Reactive Main Group Metal Compounds via Redox-Active Ligands'. Our primary goal is to develop the rich and tunable coordination and reaction chemistry of heavy main group metals. Our short-term goals are to synthesize and characterize reactive indium and bismuth compounds via rationally designed redox-active ligands. The electrochemical and photochemical properties of these novel compounds are being determined, and they are being screened for their reactivity to assess their potential as redox catalysts. These base-metal materials are alternatives to expensive and toxic precious metal catalysts used for organic transformations, such as coupling and hydrogenation reactions, that are required to produce value-added fine chemicals. Overall, this work is establishing approaches to design and prepare previously unexplored redox-active main group metal complexes and demonstrating their potential as reactive species in chemical transformations. Ultimately, this research may lead to new classes of inexpensive and environmentally benign homogeneous organometallic catalysts that possess unique reactivity and afford novel chemical products. This is of considerable benefit to the fields of organic and organometallic chemistry and the specialty chemicals (i.e. pharmaceutical and agrochemical) industry in Canada. The compounds being prepared throughout this research program are highly reactive and decompose rapidly in even trace amounts of oxygen and moisture. A glovebox is thus imperative as it is the only means for handling these reactive materials under an inert dinitrogen atmosphere. I have only one glovebox in my lab and, crucially, it no longer retains an inert atmosphere. This is preventing me from pursuing avenues of research involving the most reactive and novel compounds. The instrument is 22 years old and is no longer serviceable by the manufacturer. Replacement parts are difficult or impossible to source. Therefore, the only option is to replace the unit. The undergraduate students involved in my `Metal Heads' research program are provided with rare and sustained one-on-one training by me in synthetic chemistry. Hands-on experience with a glovebox is an integral part of training students in handling and manipulating reactive materials. Over the past 22 years, I have had 110 undergraduate students work in my laboratory. Approximately 40 of these students are co-authors on publications from my research program and approximately 65 have gone on to or will pursue graduate studies at universities in Canada and abroad, while most others have gone on to pursue careers in scientific fields. All research and training activities in my lab have been significantly impeded without access to a properly functioning glovebox. Immediate replacement of this essential piece of equipment is vital for the continued success of my research program.