• Synthesis of organometallic compounds
• Kinetics and mechanisms of organometallic reactions
• Homogeneous catalysts

Atwood Research Group

556 Natural Sciences Complex Department of Chemistry University at Buffalo The State University of New York Buffalo, NY 14260-3000 Phone: (716) 645-6800 ext. 2127 Fax: (716) 645-6963 E-mail: jatwood@buffalo.edu

Synthesis and spectroscopy of organometallic compounds; kinetics and mechanisms of organometallic reactions; homogeneous catalysts.

Our interests lie in reactivity and mechanistic studies of organometallic complexes. Current emphasis is on exploration of organometallic complexes in aqueous environments. Water-soluble phosphine ligands (TPPTS = P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃ or TPPMS = PPh₂(m-C₆H₄SO₃K)) can replace PPh₃ in almost all organometallic complexes; the resulting complexes are soluble in water. These complexes offer the potential to use organometallic reagents in environmentally-friendly conditions.

One portion of our research is directed toward understanding organometallic complexes in water. Hydrogen bonding and formation of ions are much more important for organometallic complexes in water. Some geometric changes are also noted in aqueous solution in comparison to organic solutions. Although the phosphine ligands are large, in aqueous solution they show a strong tendency to be adjacent. Effect of pH provides a variable that has no analogue in organic solutions.

We are also pursuing reactions in which water is a reactant. Hydration, hydrolysis, water-gas shift reactions, etc. are important catalytic reactions that involve water as a reactant. Such reactions could be facilitated in aqueous solution.

Our research is basic in the search for understanding of organometallic complexes in water, but has direct applications in important catalytic reactions.

Selected Recent Publications