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Polarity-Inverted Nitrogen: Construction of Reactive Multiply-Bonded Functional Groups and Their Utilization

Objective

With N-VERT, I introduce a broad-ranging concept to incorporate polarity-inverted nitrogen fragments in elusive multiple-bonded structures. Controlling bonding-interactions of nitrogen is a key societal enterprise, with ammonia fixation alone consuming 1-2% of the World’s annual energy output. Whereas classic reactions of nitrogen are generally dictated by its high electronegativity and strong triple bond, I propose to construct nitrogen-based multiple bonds using a class of metal scaffolds where nitrogen carries a lonepair of electrons but, nonetheless, exhibits inverted polarity. This unusual situation primes nitrogen for attack by electron-rich groups to form unsaturated motifs. Simultaneously, adaptive metal-nitrogen covalency leads to a reducing metal node, stabilizing sought motifs by backdonation. This concept could tame reactive multiple bonds, only suggested as fleeting intermediates. In main-group chemistry, stable triple bonds nearly only form between 2p elements, whereas heavier elements exhibit exceptionally weak bonding. We will insert an N atom into heavy-atom analogs of cyanide, dinitrogen and nitrosyl to probe their chemistry for the first time. We will also stabilize a hitherto unknown diazo compound and cast light on its dichotomous bonding. In addition, our bond-forming strategy may drive paradoxical reaction pathways, accumulating enthalpic potential in metastable bonds. These objectives branch out into divergent horizons; from fundamental main-group multiple bonds and aromaticity to organic single carbon-atom transfer and energy storage. The recent track-record of my group indicates viability of our strategy to isolate reactive intermediates far beyond the state-of-the-art. Addressing basic physicochemical properties of nitrogen, N-VERT is a groundbreaking, bottom-up approach to couple seemingly incompatible groups (archetypal nucleophiles) into elusive multiple-bonds; the studies have broad and fundamental impact on chemical synthesis.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2026-STG

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Host institution

LUNDS UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 500 000,00
Address
Paradisgatan 5c
22100 Lund
Sweden

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Region
Södra Sverige Sydsverige Skåne län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 500 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)