Research Projects

The project aims to stabilize transition and lanthanide metal ions in unusual and lower coordination numbers to enhance their properties like magnetism, catalytic properties, and biological applications. The "pro-ligand" is a self-assembled cluster consisting of a main group-based organoacid and a protic ligand. The pro-ligand approach improves the solubility of products and creates new insitu generated organo main group-based ligand systems. Preformed clusters of organostibonic acids and pro-ligand can be used to assemble transition metal-based clusters. The proposed work involves the formation of novel pro-ligand systems, such as reacting organostibonic acids with organotin-based acids, leading to the isolation of a novel [Rsb-O-snR']n system. The isolated homo- and heterometallic clusters will be evaluated for magnetic properties, bandgap modulations, biological activity, and catalytic activity depending on the product obtained. The prime objectives of the proposal include synthesizing novel pro-ligands based on heavier main group organometallic motifs, building 3d-based molecular architectures using the pro-ligand approach, building 4f-based molecular architectures using the pro-ligand approach, and evaluating the potential applications of the homo and heterometallic architectures towards magnetism, fine-tuning bandgap, evaluating catalytic activities, and screening for biological activity. The synthetic methodology consists of synthesizing novel pro-ligand systems involving main group organometallic acids and utilizing these pro-ligands for assembling novel molecular architectures of 3d and 4f ions.