Work in the O’Connor lab has focused on the synthesis and characterization of iridium complexes containing pyridinesulfonamide ligands for transfer hydrogenation reactions. Spectroscopic studies in concert with theory support the likely involvement of the metal and sulfonamide moiety on the ligand working in concert in the catalysis. Thus, we are interested in expanding the use of sulfonamide groups in catalytic transformations and other applications. However, ligand dissociation is problematic due to the lability of the ligand. To circumvent this, tridentate [NNN] and [PNP] pincer-style ligands containing different sulfonamide groups have been prepared and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Synthesis and characterization of these new ligands along with strategies to use course-based research undergraduate experiences (CUREs) to expand ligand preparation and characterization are described in this presentation. Efforts towards the synthesis of new iron and rare earth element compounds that contain these ligand scaffolds are also highlighted in this presentation.

[NNN] and [PNP] sulfonamide-based pincer ligand scaffolds for use in transition metal and rare earth element complexes

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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