purcc 2012 - University of the Pacific

Poster Session Abstracts
energy that must be overcome in that process is
immense. In general, special metal-containing
catalysts are required, especially in selective
bond activation. Here, we seek to design and
synthesize new metal complexes from two
different ligand approaches. These complexes
hope to catalytically convert readily available
compounds to useful molecules, such as
ubiquitous methane (CH4) to methanol. The
projects will contribute to the research field of
organic synthesis, and at the same time they
target the energy problem worldwide.
The first family of ligands is N,N'-
diarylformamidine which displays different
geometries in solid state. It is mainly due to the
altered degree of steric hindrance and inter or
intramolecular H-bonding. In solution, a more
symmetric conformation is generally seen for
non-sterically hindered formamidines, while the
others show the coexistence of isomers.
Metallation gives complexes with a variety of
conformation as well. Preliminary investigation
of their utility in activating C-H bonds will also
be described.
The second group of ligands is tripodal-type
ligands. Three branches are built up from one
central atom, C or N, so that the overall ligands
behave like three-prong clamps which can
potentially secure multiple metal ions in their
centers. Detail synthesis of the ligands and their
coordination compounds will be followed.
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