Group 15 Biradicals for the Activation of Small Molecules and Their Use as Molecular Switches

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Axel Schulz
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2014 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262428176

Aim of this research project is (i) the synthesis of hitherto unknown heavy pnictogen biradicals of the type type [E(NR)]2 (E = Sb, Bi) and the unprecendented (oxidized) monoradical cations of the type [E(NR)]2+[wca]- (E = P, As, Sb, Bi; wca = weakly coordinating anion), (ii) the activation of small molecules bearing single bonds by biradicals of the type [E(NR)]2 (E = element of group 15), (iii) the activation of small molecules bearing double bonds by biradicals of the type [E(NR)]2 (E = element of group 15), (iv) the activation of small molecules bearing triple bonds by biradicals of the type [E(NR)]2 (E = element of group 15), and (v) exploration of the reactivity of [E(NR)]2 biradicals towards Lewis bases and -acids and N-heterocyclic carbenes. We want to demonstrate, that new classes of cage compounds and heterocycles can be generated by activation of small molecules. This study will be accompanied by a combined experimental and theoretical work with respect to (vi) structure, bonding and reactivity depending on the elemente E and the substituent R.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants