We have developed a selective, metal-free synthetic method relying on nucleophilic catalysis towards the synthesis of <i>bis</i>(pyrazolyl)alkanes, a ubiquitous class of polytopic ligands for studying organo-transition metal coordination complexes and their transformations. Most attractively, this method facilitates access to sterically and electronically tunable tridentate heteroscorpionate ligands from simple aldehyde and ketone precursors. We have taken advantage of this method to prepare a new class of dinucleating ligand with tethered binding sites to give neutral bimetallic complexes with early-transition and main group metals. Exploring sustainable polymer synthesis with these complexes has revealed significant reaction rate enhancement compared to analogous monometallic systems, indicating that metal-metal cooperativity can play a unique impact in improving sustainable polymer synthesis. We use this platform to analyze the largely understudied role of metallicity in the polymerization mechanism.

New metal-free route to <i>bis</i>(pyrazolyl)alkanes enabling cooperative bimetallic catalysts for degradeable polymers

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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

New metal-free route to bis(pyrazolyl)alkanes enabling cooperative bimetallic catalysts for degradeable polymers