For the synthetic chemist, a complete body of research includes three major steps: the synthesis itself, characterization of that which has been synthesized, and analysis and communication of these findings in a coherent, comprehensible manner that can be repeated or built upon. This dissertation addresses all three elements: the synthesis of novel compounds, an analysis of these compounds, and an effort to educate the general populace in the methods of at least one particular flavor of science.
The first section discusses the syntheses of heterobimetallic paddlewheel complexes, where opposite ends of a paddlewheel complex are occupied by different metal centers (M-M'). A novel set of heterobimetallic paddlewheel complexes, PtML4X, has been synthesized from Pt(HL)4Cl2 using a hard-soft binding scheme. These include the first PtMn and PtFe paddlewheels reported. Structural analysis of the PtFe complex and previously reported PtCr and PtV complexes, in conjunction with EPR and DFT calculations, indicate significant interaction between the two metal centers.
The second section discusses the use of a similar hard-soft binding strategy in the synthesis of metalloligands for synthesis of novel heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These MOFs are anticipated to have applications in gas storage or in catalysis. This synthesis process did not produce the intended outcome, namely the construction of heterometallic MOFs; those compounds which were generated are discussed.
The third section of this dissertation introduces an outreach program to parallel our research. A series of lessons was developed to investigate crystals and symmetry, envisioned to be appropriate for any level of chemistry instruction from introductory high school chemistry to general college chemistry or a community outreach workshop. A secondary goal of this project was to facilitate outreach between the university science community and high school students and teachers, exposing high school students and teachers to the "scientist at work," while university students gain increased insight into their own work by teaching it to others.