Tin-capped nickel clusters as catalysts for the formation of dimethyl carbonate

INOR 321

Kristina S. Stephenson, kristina@ucsd.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0358, La Jolla, CA 92093 and Clifford P. Kubiak, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Univsersity of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive Mail Code 0358, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358.
The annual production of highly toxic phosgene for the synthesis of isocyanates, polyurethanes, and polycarbonate resins totals over a million tons a year. Environmental concerns demand the use of less toxic substances, while practical considerations require the use of an easily obtainable starting material. Substituting dimethyl carbonate (DMC) for phosgene provides a "green" outlook for these important syntheses. To this end, highly reactive tin-capped trinuclear nickel clusters [Ni3(µ-dppm)3(µ3-Cl) (µ3-Sn(X)3)] (X=Cl, OH; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) have been prepared. Because the steric bulk of the dppm ligands prevents the oligomerization of tin oxides, these clusters are uniquely suited to act as catalysts for DMC synthesis. The trimethoxy derivative is currently the focus of our investigations, as this cluster may afford DMC in the presence of carbon dioxide and methanol. Our most recent results will be presented.

 

Organometallic: Catalysis
7:00 PM-10:00 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster

Division of Inorganic Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006