Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

A potentiostat is an instrument used for electrochemical analysis in a process called cyclic voltametry. The potentiostat expands Dr. Bierenstiel's organometallic research program in which he uses electrochemistry to study proposed new materials and conduct biomimetic metalloenzyme research. Data gathered in cyclic voltametry experiments will help to study and interpret electron transfer processes in newly-created complex systems and allow the determination of proposed metal-ligand and metal-metal interactions.Dr. Bierenstiel is breaking new ground by developing nitrogen- and sulfur-containing ligand systems that are capable of binding one or more transition metals. The so-called N,S-ligands are hybrids that contain hard (nitrogen) and soft (sulfur) donor atoms, and are useful for their ability to bind to both hard and soft transition metals. The hybrid ligands exhibit hemilability properties that are pivotal for catalysis, and have also non-innocent electronic properties.The new N,S-ligand interactions mimic biological amino acid-based active metal centres and are crucial in enzyme research for the study of redox-active electron transfer enzymes found, e.g., in hydrogenases. Hydrogenases have an important role in the respiratory process of living cells. The N,S-ligands are also useful for the creation of new materials, such as one-dimensional metal-containing polymers that can be used for new materials with unique electronic and magnetic properties with potential use in communication technology applications.