Honors Program Theses

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Honors Program Thesis (UNI Access Only)

First Advisor

Martin Chin

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to synthesize and characterize a series of diruthenium (Ru2) polyhydride complexes bearing bulky P(iPr)3 ligands, with the aim of understanding how hydride count and ligand environment influence reactivity, stability, and hydrogenation potential. Diruthenium complexes that can support multiple hydride ligands have significant interest in homogeneous hydrogenation catalysis, bimetallic cooperativity, and the design of next-generation catalytic systems from industrial hydrogenation processes.

This study investigated the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of diruthenium complexes containing bridging and terminal polyhydride ligands, using hydrogenation reactions, spectroscopy, crystallographic, and small-molecule reactivity to clarify structure-reactivity relationships. Two reaction pathways were developed to achieve these species: an original ligand-substitution route and an alternative hydroxide-bridged pathway. Each hydride species was identified using 1H spectroscopy and 31P NMR spectroscopy, with a few having crystallographic data to further identify the characteristics. These methods provided diagnostic information regarding hydride arrangement, ligand placement, and electronic structure.

Across the series, the complexes display a clear network of interconversions involving hydride addition, reductive elimination, and hydrogenolysis. The Ru2 core accommodates these changes without losing phosphine ligands, highlighting the stabilizing influence of the rigid Cp framework and the steric bulk of P(iPr)3. Together, these results deepen our understanding of how bimetallic systems manage hydrogen and offer a foundation for designing future catalysts capable of efficient hydrogen activation, storage, and transfer.

Year of Submission

2026

Department

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

University Honors Designation

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors

Date Original

2026

Object Description

1 PDF file (57 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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