GRK 441:  Chemistry in Interphases - Synthesis, Dynamics, and Application of Polymer-Anchored Active Centers

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: from 1998 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272419

Objective of this research training group is the synthesis of and with interphases. Interphases represent domains, in which a stationary phase and a mobile component penetrate each other in a molecular dimension, whereby no homogeneous phase is formed. A stationary phase consists of a (swellable) polymer, a spacer, and an active center. In the case of organometallic model reactions and in catalysis the active center accomplishes the function of a reactive center, in chromatography that one of an interaction center. The mobile component is an incoming gaseous, liquid or dissolved substrate. Advantages of the interphase concept are ascertained in catalytic reactions (easy separability of the reacted substrate from the catalyst) and in the solution of complex chromatographic separation problems. If redox active centers are present, electrochemistry offers an additional possibility for the characterization of interphase systems. Moreover this method can be employed for the synthesis of stationary phases. The spectrum of methods for the characterization of these new materials comprises solid state NMR spectroscopy, laser short-time spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), IR and Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS), and BET for the determination of the pore size.In this research training group participate inorganic, organic, and physiocochemical scientists and physicists from the University of Tuebingen and physicochemical scientists from the University of Stuttgart, they bring their experimental and theoretical knowledges.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Helmut Bertagnolli; Professor Dr. Ekkehard Lindner; Professor Dr. Hermann A. Mayer; Professor Dr. Klaus Müller (†); Professor Dr. Ulrich Nagel; Professor Dr. Christian Ochsenfeld; Professor Dr. Erich Plies; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Rosenstiel (†); Professor Dr. Volker Schurig; Professor Dr. Bernd Speiser
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Klaus Albert (†)