324— Synthesis of Alternative Fuels using Bimetallic Hydrogen Activation for Clean Energy

Our project aims to develop catalysts for the conversion of hydrogen gas to carbon-based liquid fuels with high energy density. Our approach involves bimetallic catalysts, supported by bifunctional ligands, which have the potential to break the symmetry of the hydrogen molecule. Oxidative addition of hydrogen across a metal-metal bond is expected to produce a metal hydride complex featuring both a hydridic metal hydride and an acidic metal hydride. We anticipate metal dihydrides of this nature will be poised for the hydrogenation of a carbon source such as carbon dioxide. Here we report the synthesis and NMR characterization of key bifunctional ligand scaffolds and our plans for the preparation of metal complexes with the potential to act as catalysts for the conversion of hydrogen gas to liquid fuels.