SFortier-01
Ylides for Uranium-Carbene multiple bonds
Health, human disease & diagnostics
Preferred major field of study or minimum required skills
Chemistry major with interest in learning the synthesis and handling of extremely air-sensitive compounds.
Scholarly significance/intellectual merit
Uranium carbon multiple bonds is an area of actinide chemistry that is underdeveloped, not from lack of interest, but instead from the inherent challenges associated with the chemistry. In this project, we will utilize super bulky Ylides for the attempted synthesis of uranium-carbene complexes. This knowledge is important for developing a fundamental chemical understanding of the actinides.
Research question(s)
The object is to develop novel routes for the synthesis of uranium-carbon multiple bonds using novel Ylides
Methods/techniques/instruments to be learned/utilized
Methods will include use of Schlenk line techniques, use of an inert atmosphere glovebox, extensive NMR spectroscopy, and potentially X-ray crystallography.