WCA-Cluster: Synthesis and characterization of polyatomic elemental clusters of groups 15 to 18 and their simple metal complexes as salts of weakly coordinating anions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ingo Krossing
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2015 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281091989

The goals for the WCA-Cluster project in the prolongation period aim, building on the relevant results from the first funding period, at synthesis and characterization of Reactive Cations [RC]+ with textbook character as salts of very weakly coordinating anions [WCA]–. To stabilize these partly from mass spectrometry known ions in condensed phases, one needs excellent anions [WCA]–. In the first funding period we have developed a systematic access to reagents with extraordinarily stable anions. Those shall be applied in the second funding period to prepare cluster-/cage-cations from elements of group 15-17, or to yield synthons for WCA-salts of “naked” metal cations (M = Cu, Au, Cd, Hg, Sn, Pb) and to use those for complexation of homoatomic or binary cage- and cluster-compounds with elements from group 15-17. Specific project goals are hitherto unknown cations such as [As9]+, [As8]2+, [S5]+, [I9]+ or [P3E]+ (E = S, Se, Te) as well as complex cations with neutral elements or cage compounds, i.e. X2, Chn, Ng, Ch3E4, Ch4E4 (X = Cl, Br, I; Ng = Kr, Xe; Ch = S, Se; n = 2-20; E = P, As). In a further side line, directly resulting from the first funding period, the – evtl. also catalytically possible – nucleophilic functionalization of the coordinated P4 in [(P4)FeCp(CO)2]+[Al(ORF)4]– with simple nucleophiles like H-SiR3, H-NR2 or H-OR shall be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants