Research in the Masuda Group focuses on a variety of fundamental, basic research with the goal of discovering new types of bonding and functional groups that may have properties that are amenable to practical, real-world applications. Here are some of the areas we have interest in:
Reactivity of carbenes and carbenoids with main group elements We explore the reactivity of carbenes and cabenoids with small molecules with the intention to discover new reactivity patterns and to make new functional groups that would not be stable without the protection that the carbenes or carbenoids can provide. Our initial success was in the use of a N-heterocyclic phosphenium to react with N-oxides to form the previously unknown, monomeric phosphonium oxides. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 10836-10840). This was followed with a number of projects involving N-heterocyclic carbenes. The most recent involved the formation of a bis-1,4-([3]Cumulene)-p-carboquinoid. An extended pi-system of this type was unknown at the time and was published just before a flurry of results were reported on other, pi-conjugated systems capped by carbenes. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 749-754) Development of new ligands for applications across the periodic table Ligand development has been an area of specialization for Jason since he was an undergraduate student. Often this involved making phosphorus analogues of 'normal' nitrogen-containing ligands. Recently, the group has focused on making functionalized cyclopentadienyl groups that can chelate via pi-interactions with the Cp group and an aryl appendage. The preparation of one of these ligands and the alkali metal salts was published (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 11615-11619). We are currently exploring the metallocene chemistry of this ligand and preparing main group derivatives. The impetus behind this design is that some main group cations will be stabilized by these dual, pi-coordinating faces. Reactivity of group 15 radicals We developed an undergraduate student friendly, large scale preparation of a diphosphine molecule that undergoes homolytic cleavage in solution to form two phosphinyl radicals. Although phosphinyls have been known since the 1970s, a synthesis that is amenable to an undergraduate-level of training was missing until our work. We have studied the reactivity of these phosphinyls with a variety of elements (O2, P4, S8, Se, Te) and small molecules (boranes; R-N=C=E, E = O, S). (Inorg. Chem., 2012, 11837-11850; Dalton. Trans. 2016, 12636-12638) Group 13 chemistry In our work developing new ligands or with easily prepared ligands from the literature, we are always on the lookout for new and/or exciting possibilities with aluminum and other group 13 elements. Furthermore, alkyl aluminum chemistry provides a low-cost training ground for students to learn inert atmosphere synthetic techniques. (RSC Adv. 2016, 69270-69276; RSC Adv. 2017, 37315-37323) Crystallography and computational chemistry We use a combination of crystallography and computational chemistry to help us understand the nature of the molecules we study. Researchers in the group have the opportunity to learn about and apply these powerful techniques to their research. We also collaborate with groups that need our crystallographic expertise from Saint Mary's, the Atlantic region, and beyond! |
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