Matrix
Isolation
Introduction
Matrix isolation is a technique in which highly reactive
species are generated by UV photolysis of stable precursors and trapped
in inert solids. Recently, we have developed a method of using polyethylene
(PE) as a matrix material for studying reactions in the presence of high
pressures of gases (e.g. N2, H2 etc). The PE
matrix prevents the highly reactive species from undergoing intermolecular
reactions, whereas the low temperature inhibits intramolecular changes.
Currently we are
using the technique to characterise various dinitrogen and dihydrogen
bound organometallic carbonyl complexes, and to study catalytic reactions,
e.g. hydrogenation reactions, detecting the reactive intermediates by on-line
IR and the organic products by off-line GC-MS. .
Further Information
For further information please contact M.
W. George or M.
Poliakoff.
Key Publications
-
The Chemistry of Reactive Organometallic Compounds at Low Temperatures
and High Pressures: Reactions of M(CO)6 [M = Cr, Mo, W],
(h6-C6H3Me3)M(CO)3
(M, Cr and Mo)and W(CO)5CS with H2 and N2
in Polyethylene Matrices. S. E. J. Goff, T. F. Nolan, M. W. George and
M. Poliakoff, Organometallics, 1998, 17, 2730-37.
-
Investigation into the reactivity of M(5-C5R5)(CO)2(alkane)
(M = Mn or Re; R = H, Me or Ph; alkane = n-heptane or cyclopentane) and
Re(5-C5R5)(CO)2((Xe) in solution
at cryogenic and room temperature. Gavin I. Childs, Christopher S. Colley,
Joanne Dyer, David C. Grills, Xue-Zhong
Sun, Jixin Yang, Michael W. George, Journal of the Chemical Society
Dalton Transactions, 2000, 12, 1901-1906.
-
IR Evidence for the Generation of (C5H5)Mn(CO)2(N2O)
in Near-Critical N2O at Room Temperature and in Polyethylene
Matrices at Low Temperature.
Molvinger K, Childs GI, Jobling M, Roper M, George MW, Poliakoff
M. Chemistry Letters, 2000, 11, 1260.
-
Investigation into the Photochemical Reactions of (C5H5)M(CO)4
and (C9H7)M(CO)4 (M = Nb, Ta) with
H2 and N2 in Polyethylene Matrices and Liquid
Xenon at Low Temperature. Childs GI, Gallagher S, Bitterwolf
TE, George MW. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions,
2000 .
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Page created by: Simon Poliakoff
Created: July 1997
Last Revised: January 2001