Well-Defined Cationic Bismuth Compounds: Fundamental Properties and Applications in Synthesis and Catalysis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Crispin Lichtenberg
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 404506767

Molecular compounds based on heavy main group elements show an intrinsically high functional group tolerance along with a soft Lewis-acidity, and a relatively high stability of (intermediate) radical species. These characteristics, combined with modern approaches in synthetic chemistry make such compounds attractive for applications in synthesis and catalysis that can be complementary to approaches based on s-block or transition metals. This research project is focused on molecular compounds of bismuth, a non-precious element of low toxicity, the fundamental and applied chemistry of which is underdeveloped compared to that of other main group elements such as Li, Mg, Al, or Sn. Non-conventional bismuth compounds will be designed, synthesized and analyzed in detail towards the development of new reagents for synthesis and catalysis. The targeted bismuth compounds are (i) cationic species with simple monodentate ligands and (ii) neutral and cationic complexes with redox-active ligands. New reactivity patterns are expected for these compounds, some of which have already been uncovered in preliminary work. These will be rationalized, extended, and turned into synthetic methods and catalytic applications. Significant advances are expected in the fields of CH activation, ligand-stabilized bismuth radicals, and selective CO2 reduction.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France, Netherlands, Switzerland
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Matthias Bickelhaupt; Professor Dr. Gunnar Jeschke; Professor Dr. Marc Robert