Understanding Metal-Metal Bonds in Heterobimetallic Complexes and Their Use as Catalysts for Dinitrogen Conversion

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to describe the synthesis and characterization of heterobimetallic complexes using the mixed amide-phosphine binucleating ligand, N(o-(NHCH2P(iPr)2)C6H4)3, that feature metal-metal bonds while exploiting the ability to change the supporting metal to tune the catalytic ability of an active Co center in the activation and reduction of dinitrogen. General characterization of heterobimetallic complexes include solid state structure, cyclic voltammetry, electronic ground state determination (EPR spectroscopy or SQUID magnetometry), NMR, Mössbauer, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies in combination with multi-configurational CAS calculations in collaboration with the Gagliardi group.