Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/I001344/1
Title:	Multi N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Ruthenium for the Coordination and Reactivity of Small Molecules
Principal Investigator:	Whittlesey, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Bath
Scheme:	Standard Research
Starts:	04 October 2010	Ends:	03 April 2014	Value (£):	230,047
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Catalysis & Applied Catalysis Co-ordination Chemistry
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 04 May 2010 Physical Sciences Panel - Chemistry Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The utilisation of small molecules such as O2, H2 and N2 in chemical transformations relies on them being able to first coordinate to reactive transition metal complexes. We have recently reported (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 9618; Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 10912) a new ruthenium complex containing four N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands that shows selectivity in binding these gases as a function of the NHC substituents. We now wish to build upon these initial observations to see whether this Ru multi-NHC 'scaffold' can be used to incorporate the bound O2, H2 and N2 molecules into catalytic reactions (oxidation, hydrogenation etc) and, on the basis or additional preliminary results, whether we can induce more exotic types of molecules such as white phosphorus (P4) and ammonia boranes (R2HNBH3) to take part in both novel stoichiometric and catalytic transformations.Efforts will be directed at preparing new Ru(NHC)4 fragments that contain abnormally coordinated NHCs, afford reactive heteroatom hydride products and precursors to long sought after naked 16e RuL4 species for intermolecular C-H activation. We will build upon more preliminary results with a Ru(NHC)3 fragment in an effort to bring about catalytic H-X addition to alkenes. It is important to establish whether the rich chemistry of these multi-NHC complexes hinted at by our published work and preliminary data can be extended on from Ru to other transition metals, both in the same group (specifically Fe) and surrounding groups (Mo, W, Re).
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Organisation Website:	http://www.bath.ac.uk