Sc.B., Brown University, 1979 Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1984 Myron A. Bantrell Research Fellow, California Insitute of Technology, 1983-85.

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Our research in inorganic chemistry continues to focus on the organometallic chemistry of fluorocarbons. We seek to develop transition metal systems which are capable of reacting with fluorocarbons - the most inert class of compounds created by chemists. In particular we seek new ways of selectively activating and functionalizing fluorocarbons using metals as catalysts to control these transformations. We also attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in these transformations.

T. G. Richmond, Organometallic Transformations Demonstrate that Fluorocarbons are Reactive Molecules, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 39,3241-3244 (2000). T. G. Richmond, "Metal Reagents for Activation and Functionalizaton of Carbon-Fluorine Bonds," in S. Murai (ed.) Activation of Unreactive Bonds and Organic Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, New York , 3, 243-269 (1999). J. L. Kiplinger, A. M. Arif, T. G. Richmond, "Influence of p-Conflict on Structure and Reactivity. A Comparative Study of h2-Nitriles and h2-Alkynes as Four Electron Donor Ligands in Tungsten(II) Fluoride Carbonyl Systems," Organometallics 16, 246 (1997). J. L. Kiplinger, T.G. Richmond, "Group IV Metallocene Mediated Synthesis of Fluoroaromatics via Selective Defluorination of Saturated Perfluorocarbons," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118, 1805-1806 (1996). J. L. Kiplinger, M. A. King, A. Fechtenkotter, A. M. Arif and T. G. Richmond, "An Investigation of Carbon-Fluorine Bond Functionalization. Versatile Reactivity of Tungsten(II) Fluoride Carbonyl Metallacycles with Alkynes," Organometallics 15, 1545(1996).

G. Owens, T. G. Richmond, "Demonstrating Catalysis with a Bang! Initiation of a Hydrogen / Oxygen Explosion With a Pd/C Catalyst," The Chemical Educator 1(4): S 1430-4171 (96) 04045 -9; (1996)