Carbene reactivity with uncommon p-block molecules

Abstract

1 online resource (xxxiv, 445 pages) : illustrations (some colour), charts (some colour), graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendix.Includes bibliographical references (pages 16-20, 54-58, 79-83, 110-116, 140-145, 167-170).The p-block (main group) elements are those in groups 13-17 and this thesis involves reactivity of uncommon small molecules derived from p-block elements with carbenes, a highly reactive carbon-based functional group featuring low-oxidation state carbon. The recent historical isolation of carbenes and the discovery of their endlessly tunable chemical diversity has allowed for the subsequent isolation of many never-before-seen states of most elements. The behaviour of vastly different carbenes when reacted with common small molecules more has been widely explored. In this dissertation, an introduction to general chemistry and more specifically carbenes is included in chapter 1. Research into the use of a triazene derived from reacting a carbene and azide for the preparation of copper, silver, and gold metal complexes (and gold nanoparticles) is featured in chapter 2. Formation of a tellurourea by reacting a carbene with tellurium metal was then explored; subsequently reacting it with (PCF3)4 and S8 to form distinct nano-/micro-particles of tellurium with morphology control apparent through various solid substrates under a variety of controlled conditions in chapter 3. Reactivity of a carbene and carbon suboxide for the first time is featured in chapter 4. A wide scope of carbenes were then reacted with tetrasulfur tetranitride and thoroughly explored in chapter 5. Formation of germanium and tin dichloride carbene adducts is then studied with respect to preparing low-oxidation state allotropic group 14 metals in chapter 6, along with isolation of their trichloride salts. Finally, chapter 7 highlights how each of these works could be built upon, expanded, or further studied in order to probe the wide range of potential uses and applications each topic touches on. Supporting information for each is provided in the appendix at the end