Joel spent the summer with us doing research into rhenium compounds…

Photophysical and Redox Properties of Novel Bipyridine-Rhenium Complexes;  Joel Sowders, Nick Mortimer, Amber Prins and Dr. Tom Guarr

The photophysical properties of metal-ligand complexes have been well researched over the past two decades.  Due to their unique and wide range of properties, metal-ligand complexes have been investigated in energy and electron transfer research.  Rhenium(I) complexes are among these classes of compounds.  Rhenium(I) complexes have also been studied for their ability to catalyze both oxidation and reduction events, including the reduction of CO2 to CO.  Bimetallic rhenium and ruthenium complexes have also been the topic of many studies on intramolecular energy transfer.  In this study we show a rhenium-pyridine ligand complex. The ligand, 4,6-diphenyl-2,2’-bipyridine (BPY) was synthesized according to previous literature.  The complex was prepared from the ligand and chloropentacarbonylrhenium (1JMS045). Characterization was done with NMR, LC-MS, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis and fluorescent spectroscopy. The mono-rhenium complex was further reacted with 4,4’-bipyridine to bridge the complex to form a bi- or poly-rhenium bipyridine complex. LC-MS of the compound revealed the 4,4’-bipyridine did join a single complex but did not bridge to a second complex (1JMS037).

Joel is a Holland native that comes to us via Seattle Pacific University.  Much gratitude to Joel for all his hard work this summer.  Enjoy your time back at school.

Nick and Amber collaborated on a poster, which they presented in Chicago at the International Meeting on Lithium Batteries.  They are both researchers here at the Organic Energy Storage Laboratory.

Exploiting Steric Factors in the Design of Overcharge Additives; Nicholas Mortimer, Amber J Prins, Robert Polik and Thomas F. Guarr

Lithium ion batteries are very commonly used today, but unsafe conditions can occur if expensive electronics are not used to prevent overcharging.  These electronics can double the price of the battery pack, so it is important to find a more economical way to control charging.  Redox shuttles are potential additives to batteries to shunt the excess current and allow the battery to be safely used to its full capacity.  Numerous organic compounds have been investigated as shuttle candidates, but finding materials that possess both a sufficiently high oxidation potential and adequate durability has proven challenging.  Our current approach exploits the change in molecular geometry that often accompanies the oxidation of heterocyclic compounds.  By introducing bulky groups to sterically impede this reorganization, computational modeling suggests that oxidation potentials can be shifted to more positive values without sacrificing stability.

Thank you Amber and Nick, your work is appreciated.

When I found out Devinda was from Sri Lanka, I asked if he played elephant polo.  He said no, but he did send us some pictures of his time back home before returning to school…

Thanks Devinda, elephants are awesome!

Brandon worked with heavy metals to synthesize large, complex structures…

The Synthesis and Metal Complexation of Bis-terpyridine Derivatives; Brandon Wackerle and Dr. Thomas Guarr

Bis-terpyridine derivatives can be used as ligands that bind with metals in solution to form complex structures.  These structures can be used in many applications, including medicine, alternative energy, and molecular electronics.  By deviating from the terpyridine subunit, new ways for metals to interact with the ligand can be introduced and potentially create larger, more complex structures.  Iron(II) has been used to complex with the ligand and complexes between the metal and ligand have been analyzed using electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS).  Currently, europium is being investigated in order to compare the properties of europium and iron complexes.  This will also enable us to observe how a transition metal behaves compared to an f-block element when complexed with a bis-terpyridine.

Brandon is working towards a degree in biochemistry from Grand Valley State University.  He has one year left to complete his degree and his future is bright.  Thanks for a great summer.