John H. Nelson

Emeritus Professor

Inorganic Chemistry

B.S. (1964), Ph.D. (1968), University of Utah (R. O. Ragsdale); Postdoctoral (1968-70), Tulane University (H. B. Jonassen).

E-mail: jhnelson [at] unr.edu
Phone: 775-784-6588
FAX: 775-784-6804
Office: CB 113

John H. Nelson

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Research Interests

Our current research interests include the synthesis, physical properties, structure, reactions and catalytic properties of coordination and organometallic compounds. At present, we are pursuing four avenues of research: (1) Structure, dynamics, and bonding in Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. The interrelationships of geometric isomerizations, ligand substitutions and homogeneous catalysis are being studied. (2) Reactions of coordinated ligands, particularly phosphines and arsines. We are seeking to gain a greater understanding of the factors which influence chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, regioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity. (3) Solid state NMR spectroscopy. We are obtaining benchmark data in order to assess the utility of CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy for structural determination of amorphous solids. (4) Asymmetric homogeneous catalysis. We are synthesizing and resolving new conformationally rigid chiral bidentate and tridentate ligands and investigating asymmetric hydrogenation, hydroformylation and cross coupling of Grignard reagents with aryl and vinyl halides by transition metal complexes of these ligands.

Selected Publications

“Phosphaallyl complexes of Ru(II) derived from dicyclohexylvinylphosphine (DCVP),” Duraczynska, D.; Nelson, J.H. Dalton Trans. 2005, 92-103.

“Reactions of ruthenium(II) tris(pyrazolyl)borate and tris(pyrazolyl)methane complexes with diphenylvinylphosphine and 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole,” Wilson, D.C.; Nelson, J.H. J. Organomet. Chem. 2003, 682, 272-289.

“(η6-Arene)ruthenium(II) complexes with hemilabile η3-dicyclohexylvinylphosphine (DCVP) and η3-diphenylvinylphosphine (DPVP) phosphaallyl ligands: Formation of an unexpected trinuclear complex,” Nelson, J.H.; Ghebreyessus, K.Y. Synthesis and Reactivity in Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry 2003, 33, 1329-1349.

“Reactions of [(η6-Me6C6)Ru(Ph2PCH:CH2)Cl2] with 1-ethynylcycloalkanols leading to methoxy-alkenyl carbenes via vinylvinylidene and/or allenylidene intermediates,” Ghebreyessus, K.Y.; Nelson, J.H. Inorg. Chem. Commun. 2003, 6, 1044-1047.

“Insertion reactions of unsymmetrical ester-activated alkynes with o-benzylamine palladacycles: A regioselectivity study,” Kelly, A.E.; MacGregor, S.A.; Willis, A.C.; Nelson, J.H.; Wenger, E. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2003, 352, 79-97.

“Synthesis, solid state structure, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy of the primary vinylidene complex [Cp(DPVP)2Ru=C=CH2]PF6, Cp=η5-C5Me5, DPVP=Ph2PCH=CH2,” Hansen, H.D.; Nelson, J.H. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2003, 352, 4-8.

“Carebene and isocyanide ligation at ruthenium(II) with (η6-arene) and tethered phosphinopropylarene ligands,” Ghebreyessus, K.Y.; Nelson, J.H. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2003, 350, 12-24.

“Enantioselective synthesis of p-chiral (η6-arene)ruthenium(II) complexes using enantiomerically pure orthometalated palladium(II) amine complexes,” Ghebreyessus, K.Y.; Gül, N.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics 2003, 22, 2977-2989.

“Conformationally rigid diphosphine arene-ruthenium(II) complexes as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones,” Ghebreyessus, K.Y.; Nelson, J.H. J. Organomet. Chem. 2003, 669, 48-56.

“Diphenylvinylphosphine (DPVP) complexes containing the (η5-MeC5H4)Ru(II) moiety: Synthesis, characterization and reactions,” Duraczynska, D.; Nelson, J.H. Dalton Trans. 2003, 449-457.

“Comparative study of the reactions of two alkynes and an alkene with chiral cyclopalladated complexes derived from N,N-dimethyl-α-(2-naphthyl)ethylamine and N,N-dimethyl-α-methylbenzylamine: Insertion or cycloaddition,” Gül, N.; Nelson, J.H.; Willis, A.C.; Rae, A.D. Organometallics 2002, 21, 2041-2048.

“Synthesis and characterization of [(η6-arene)RuCl2(R2AsCH:CH2)] and tethered arsinopropylarene-ruthenium(II) complexes,” Nelson, J.H.; Ghebreyessus, K.Y.; Cook, V.C.; Edwards, A.J.; Wielandt, W.; Wild, S.B.; Willis, A.C. Organometallics 2002, 21, 1727-1733.

“Aspects of equivalence as illustrated by phosphine complexes of transition metals,” Nelson, J.H. Concepts Magn. Resonance 2002, 14, 19-78.

“Enantioselective synthesis of a conformationally rigid, sterically encumbered, 2-arsino-7-phosphanorbornene,” Gugger, P.A.; Willis, A.C.; Wild, S.B.; Heath, G.A.; Webster, R.D.; Nelson, J.H. J. Organomet. Chem. 2002, 643-644, 136-153.

“Configurational stability at ruthenium revisited,” Hansen, H.D.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics 2001, 20, 5257.

“Cooperative diastereoselectivity of palladium- and platinum-promoted intramolecular [4+2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions of 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole,” Redwine, K.D.; Wilson, W.L.; Moses, D.G.; Catalano, V.J.; Nelson, J.H. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 3392-3402.

“Halide-bridged palladium(II) dimers of orthometallated (S)-(+)-N,N-dimethyl-α-methylbenzylamine and (S)-(+)-N,N-dimethyl[1-(2-naphthyl)ethylamine]; Solution and solid-state structures and reactions with 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole and allyldiphenylphosphine,” Gül, N.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics 2000, 19, 91-104.

“Base-promoted hydroalkylation reactions of 1,3,5-Me3C6H3, p-MeC6H4CHMe2, C6Me6, p-MeC6H4Me, and MeC6H5 ligands coordinated to ruthenium(II),” Ghebreyessus, K.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics2000, 19, 3387-3392.

“Scope and diastereoselectivity of intramolecular [4+2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions of (η6-arene) Ru(DMPP)Cl2 complexes with dieneophilic ligands,” Redwine, K.D.; Nelson, J.H. J. Organomet. Chem. 2000, 613, 177-199.

“Thermal dimerization of 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole (DMPP) within the coordination sphere of [(η6-arene)Ru(DMPP)2Cl]PF6 complexes,” Redwine, K.D.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics 2000, 19, 3054-3061.

“Novel ruthenium(II) carbene complexes: Products of the reactions of 1-alkynes with (η6-C6Me6)Cl2Ru(PR3),” Hansen, H.D.; Nelson, J.H. Organometallics 2000, 19, 4740-4755.