Aluminum complexes are of great interest for hydrogen storage, due to the low cost, toxicity, and molecular weight of aluminum. Past work has shown that aluminum surfaces doped with titanium can bind dihydrogen at low temperatures. However, it is difficult to study the electronic structure of these materials to understand hydrogen binding at titanium-aluminum centers. Our group has addressed this in the past using X-ray Absorption spectroscopy to assess the amount of charge at the aluminum center. This work indicated that Al-H bond covalency may be important in some aluminum hydrides. We looked to study this covalent understanding of the Al-H bonds in the context of aluminum-titanium heterobimetallics.<br/>Here, we discuss the synthesis and reactivity of titanium-aluminum heterobimetallics containing bridging hydrides. The mechanism of thermal Ti-H-Al bond reactivity has been investigated. Additionally, the electrochemistry of the heterobimetallic has been studied and the hydrides are reactive upon oxidation of the complex. Small molecule reactivity has also been explored. Understanding the nature and reactivity of aluminum-hydrogen bonds in these molecules may support development of aluminum based hydrogen storage materials.

Reactivity of titanium-aluminum heterobimetallics

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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