Redox Active and Lewis Acidic Pincer Complexes of Bismuth

Abstract

Interest in exploiting unusual reactivity from main group elements akin to that of transition metals is an increasingly popular area of chemistry. In particular, utilizing the heaviest main group elements (5th and 6th row) has become a quickly evolving field that has seen many recent advances in stoichiometric and catalytic applications. Logical choices of ancillary ligands, while very common in d-block chemistry, is relatively underexplored with respect to the p-block elements. Our group looks to engender and study non-VSEPR geometries in heavy main group elements in order to unlock new and useful reactivity such as redox and Lewis acid catalysis.

This thesis will investigate the use of planar multidentate ligands to make new redox active and Lewis acidic bismuth centres. We envisioned that rational choices of planar ligands may offer the potential for exploiting unusual electronic proprieties, as they are known for enforcing non-VSEPR geometries, and thus unlocking new reactivity. The following will aim to utilize geometric tuning to study new redox active and Lewis acidic bismuth centres.