Research
The Macdonald group studies main group compounds in unusual bonding environments and oxidation states via single crystal XRD, DFT and ‘wet’ chemistry techniques. We use these fundamental investigations to explore new reagents, materials and Lewis acids.
Our current investigations include:
The synthesis and development of compounds containing main group elements in unusually low-coordinate environments or low oxidation states
This is commonly achieved using a cyclic triphosphenium salt P+ transfer agent which Macdonald lab has created a convenient preparation for
Read our review of this research
Synthesis and development of new main group Lewis acids
We complex different ligand systems with various main group elements to produce low coordinate and low valent Lewis acid species. Two examples are illustrated below.
Crystal structures of Lewis acids [NBn-BZIMPYGeCl][OTf] (left) and [NBn-BZIMPYSn][OTf]2 (right). Read the full paper.
Past and present collaborators:
David Rankin | Richard Jones |
Robert Schurko | Philip Power |
Jason Clyburne | Paul Ragogna |
Jason Clyburne | Jeremy Rawson |
Jonathan Sessler | Roderick Wasylishen |
Stephen Westcott |
Funding for research and equipment provided by:
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