1. Development of Transition Metal Catalysts for
Environmentally Benign Oxidation of Hydrocarbons
by Nitrous Oxide
Megumi Fujita, Department of Chemistry, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118
Our goal is to synthesize new transition metal complexes that catalyze O-atom transfer from N2O to hydrocarbons and other organic substrates. We have synthesized new multidentate ligands with dibenzofuranyl-, dibenzothiophenyl- or indolyl groups as bulky donor groups. In the metal complex, at least two coordination sites will be available for N2O-binding and activation. The metal complexation reactions turned out to be a challenge, and we are examining variables such as solvent, types of metal sources, reaction temperature, order of reagent addition, workup process and purification process.