Chemistry of π-bond systems between heavier group 14 elements
The lecture highlights how π\piπ-bonded compounds of heavier group 14 elements feature a high-lying HOMO, a low-lying LUMO, and thus a narrow HOMO–LUMO gap—key for advanced organic optoelectronic materials and efficient electron transfer. [Takahiro Sasamori lecture.pdf]The talk also discusses the broader motivation of designing systems capable of activating inert small molecules such as CO2\mathrm{CO_2}CO2​ and N2\mathrm{N_2}N2​ without transition metals. Prof. Sasamori will present recent synthetic strategies and unique reactivity of highly stable π\piπ-bonded compounds bearing reactive functional groups (including H and Br substituents) as well as heavier group 14 triple-bond systems.