Synthetic studies of unusual s-block metal complexes stabilised by sterically demanding ligands

The s-block of the periodic table contains several cheap, Earth abundant and biocompatible metals such as Na, K, Mg and Ca. The chemistry of well-defined s-block metal complexes has seen numerous advances in the past years including novel metal hydride complexes, new stable compounds with unusual basic and nucleophilic fragments, and reactive low oxidation state species. Many of these complexes have provided new approaches for reactivity and catalysis. This project will expand and advance the chemistry of well-defined s-block metal complexes with novel molecular fragments. It will include the synthesis and characterisation e.g. by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal diffraction studies of new and novel complexes and the study of their further reactivity. Sterically demanding ligands will be employed to stabilise unusual inorganic and organometallic molecular fragments. Specific targets include novel metal hydride fragments, novel nucleophilic molecular fragments and new rare low oxidation state species involving s-block elements. The range of sterically demanding ligands will include beta-diketiminate ligands and other anionic and neutral N-ligands such as phosphinoamides and iminophosphoranes. The reactivity of newly synthesised species will be investigated for example towards a range of organic substrates and small molecules including industrially relevant gases.