Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 78-07(E), Section: B.

Adviser: Patrick L. Holland.

The Holland Research Group is known for its work in beta-diketiminate first row transition metal chemistry. They work to synthesize low-coordinate coordination complexes with interest in biological relevance, small molecule activation, and catalysis. The work presented here touches on many focal points of the Holland Research Group's interest.

Chapter 1 details the synthesis and characterization of a [2Fe-2S] dimer in two oxidation states. This work describes a new method for the synthesis of [2Fe-2S] dimers, allowing for neutral complexes to be synthesized. The dimers presented here are more closely related to biological clusters in their redox properties than previously published systems.

Chapter 2 focuses on the activation of trimethylsilyldiazomethane using a previously published iron diketiminato complex. A diiron alkylidene complex and two diazomethane complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The binding modes of the diazomethane complexes have previously been reported but no metal has exhibited both isomers before. This has allowed for the unique opportunity to study two isomeric species.

Chapter 3 describes cobalt(II) complexes as pre-cursors for catalytic hydrosilylation. These systems produce the expected anti-Markovnikov hydrosilylation product in yields up to 60%. An interesting side product, 1,1-bis(phenylsilyl)hexane, is also formed during catalysis and has only been observed in trace amounts with one other catalytic system. Here we explore the best conditions for the two cobalt(II) pre-catalysts.