Binary intermetallics are atomically ordered compounds of two different metals that display enhanced properties over their metallic or alloy counterparts making them useful for applications such as catalysis. The synthesis of intermetallic compounds can often be difficult due to disparate reduction rates of the two metals. We recently developed a synthesis method that uses heterobimetallic compounds as single-source precursors with an already existing metal-metal bond to help the two metallics nucleate and grow together. In this study, a family of complexes containing a group 10 transition metal (Ni, Pd, Pt) bonded to a group 14 main group metal (Ge, Sn) with pyridine-2-thiolate ligands is screened as precursors to group 10-14 binary intermetallics. We successfully synthesize binary Pd3Sn2, Pd2Sn, Pd2Ge, and PtSn with no sulfur impurities. We also explore experimentally and computationally how different phosphine ligands attached to the transition metal of the precursor complex affect the decomposition and phase of the binary product, helping us understand the chemical reactivity of this precursor family.

Pyridinethiolate heterobimetallic precursors to 10-14 binary intermetallics

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.