Gregory H. Robinson

Gregory H. Robinson
Born	Gregory Heagward Robinson Anniston, Alabama.
Alma mater	Jacksonville State University B.S. in Chemistry (1980) The University of Alabama Ph.D. in Chemistry (1984)
Awards	Lamar Dodd Award (2010) F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry (2013) Humboldt Research Award (2012) SEC Faculty Achievement Award (2014) Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (2021)
Scientific career
Institutions	Clemson University (1984-1995) The University of Georgia (1995-now)
Thesis	A synthetic and structural investigation of the interactions between aluminum alkyls and macrocyclic polyethers  (1984)
Website	www.gregoryhrobinson.com

Gregory H. Robinson FRSC is an American synthetic inorganic chemist and a Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Georgia. ^[1] Robinson's research focuses on unusual bonding motifs and low oxidation state chemistry of molecules containing main group elements such as boron, gallium, germanium, phosphorus, magnesium, and silicon. He has published over 150 research articles, and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021. ^{[2] [3]}

Education

Robinson received his B.S. from Jacksonville State University (1980) and his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama (1984). ^{[1] [4]} He joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 1995.

Discoveries

Robinson has made a number of seminal discoveries in the field of synthetic inorganic chemistry. Many of these discoveries have concerned unusual molecules involving the main group elements.

Aromatic molecules constitute a particularly important class of organic compounds. In general, aromatic molecules contain planar carbon-based cyclic ring systems. In addition, aromatic molecules also possess enhanced stability due to electron delocalization. The iconic aromatic molecule is benzene, C₆H₆. Inherent in the traditional concept of aromaticity, is the fact that metals were considered incapable of displaying traditional aromatic behavior. Robinson discovered that the main group metal gallium, if properly constrained, could exhibit aromatic behavior. ^[5] Robinson's group prepared a compound that contained a three-membered ring of gallium atoms in a dianion, [R₃Ga₃]^2- (R = large organic ligand). This [R₃Ga₃]^2- dianion was found to be isoelectronic with the aromatic triphenylcyclopropenium cation, [Ph₃C₃]⁺. Thus, the concept of “metalloaromaticity”, the proposition that a metallic ring system could display traditional aromatic behavior historically restricted to carbon ring systems (i.e., benzene), was experimentally realized. ^[6]

The chemistry of boron, the fifth element on the Periodic Table, is as rich as it is varied. However, boron had not been shown to engage in robust multiple bonding like its periodic neighbor carbon. Robinson utilized a class of organic bases known as carbenes (L:) to prepare the first neutral compound containing a boron-boron double bond, the first diborene, with the synthesis and molecular structure of L:(H)B=B(H):L. ^{[7] [8]} The chemistry of molecules containing boron-boron multiple bonds is now a thriving area of research.

Robinson utilized a similar technique to prepare a highly unusual compound containing a silicon-silicon double bond, with both silicon atoms residing in the formal oxidation state of zero, L:Si=Si:L. Essentially, this compound represented a means to stabilize the highly reactive diatomic allotropes of silicon at room temperature. Since this discovery, several other molecules have subsequently been prepared including diphosphorus. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Publications

Robinson has published over 150 research articles, including:

• Wang, Y.; Quillian, B.; Wei, P.; Wannere, C. S.; Xie, Y.; King, R. B.; Schaefer, H. F. III; Schleyer, P. V. R.; and Robinson, G. H., “A Stable Neutral Diborene Containing a B=B Double Bond”, Journal of the American Chemical Society2007, 129, 12412–12413. ^[7]
• Wang, Y.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; King, R. B.; Schaefer, H. F. III; Schleyer, P. V. R.; and Robinson, G. H., “Carbene-Stabilized Diphosphorus”, Journal of the American Chemical Society2008, 130, 14970–14971. ^[10]
• Wang, Y.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; King, R. B.; Schaefer, H. F. III; Schleyer, P. V. R.; and Robinson, G. H., “A Stable Silicon (0) Compound with a Si=Si Double Bond”, Science2008, 321, 1069-1071. ^[12]
• Wang, Y.; Chen, M.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Schaefer, H. F. III; Schleyer, P. V. R.; and Robinson, G. H., "Stabilization of Elusive Silicon Oxides", Nature Chemistry2015, 7, 509–513. ^[13]
• Wang, Y.; Hickox, H. P.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Blair, S. A.; Johnson, M. K.; Schaefer, H. F. III; and Robinson, G. H., “A Stable Anionic Dithiolene Radical”, Journal of the American Chemical Society.2017, 139, 6859-6862. ^[14]
• Wang, Y.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Blair, S. A.; Cui, D.; Johnson, M. K.; Schaefer, H. F. III.; and Robinson, G. H., "Stable Boron Dithiolene Radicals", Angewandte Chemie, International Edition2018, 57, 7865-7868. ^[15]
• Wang, Y.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Schaefer, H. F. III.; and Robinson, G. H., “Redox Chemistry of an Anionic Dithiolene Radical”, Dalton Transactions2019, 48, 3543-3546. ^[16]
• Wang, Y.; Tope, C. A.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Urbauer, J. L.; Schaefer, H. F. III.; and Robinson, G. H., "Carbene-Stabilized Disilicon-Transfer Agent: Synthesis of a Diatonic Silicon Tris(dithiolene) Complex", Angewandte Chemie, International Edition2020, 59, 8864-8867. ^[17]
• Wang, Y.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Blair, S. A.; Cui, D.; Johnson, M. K.; Schaefer, H. F. III.; and Robinson, G. H., "A Stable Naked Dithiolene Radical Anion and Synergic THF Ring-Opening", Journal of the American Chemical Society2020, 142, 17301-17305. ^[18]
• Wang, Y.; Tran, P. M.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Glushka, J. N.; Schaefer, H. F. III.; and Robinson, G. H., "Carbene-Stabilized Dithiolene (L⁰) Zwitterions", Angewandte Chemie, International Edition2021, 60, 22706-22710. ^[19]

Awards

• Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer (2004–2005) ^[20]
• Lamar Dobb Creative Research Award (2010) ^{[21] [22]}
• Humboldt Research Award (2012) ^{[23] [24]}
• F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry (2013) ^{[25] [26]}
• SEC Faculty Achievement Award (2014) ^{[27] [28]}
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) ^{[29] [30]}
• Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (2021) ^{[2] [3]}

References

1. "Gregory H. Robinson | Department of Chemistry". www.chem.uga.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
2. Fahmy, Sam (2021-04-27). "Three UGA faculty members elected to National Academy of Sciences". UGA Today. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
3. "2021 NAS Election". www.nasonline.org. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
4. "JSU | Alumni Relations | Greg Robinson". www.jsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
5. Li, Xiao-Wang; Pennington, William T.; Robinson, Gregory H. (1995-07-01). "Metallic System with Aromatic Character. Synthesis and Molecular Structure of Na2[[(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2C6H3]Ga]3 The First Cyclogallane". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 117 (28): 7578–7579. doi:10.1021/ja00133a045. ISSN   0002-7863.
6. Wang, Yuzhong; Robinson, Gregory H. (2007-01-01). "Organometallics of the Group 13 M−M Bond (M = Al, Ga, In) and the Concept of Metalloaromaticity". Organometallics. 26 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1021/om060737i. ISSN   0276-7333.
7. Wang, Yuzhong; Quillian, Brandon; Wei, Pingrong; Wannere, Chaitanya S.; Xie, Yaoming; King, R. Bruce; Schaefer, Henry F.; Schleyer, Paul v. R.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2007-10-01). "A Stable Neutral Diborene Containing a BB Double Bond". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 129 (41): 12412–12413. doi:10.1021/ja075932i. ISSN   0002-7863. PMID   17887683.
8. Wang, Yuzhong; Quillian, Brandon; Wei, Pingrong; Xie, Yaoming; Wannere, Chaitanya S.; King, R. Bruce; Schaefer, Henry F.; Schleyer, Paul v. R.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2008-03-01). "Planar, Twisted, and Trans-Bent: Conformational Flexibility of Neutral Diborenes". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 130 (11): 3298–3299. doi:10.1021/ja800257j. ISSN   0002-7863. PMID   18288847.
9. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; King, R. Bruce; Schaefer, Henry F.; Schleyer, Paul von R.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2008-08-22). "A Stable Silicon(0) Compound with a Si=Si Double Bond". Science. 321 (5892): 1069–1071. Bibcode:2008Sci...321.1069W. doi:10.1126/science.1160768. ISSN   0036-8075. PMID   18719279. S2CID   8841483.
10. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; King, R. Bruce; Schaefer, Henry F.; Schleyer, Paul v. R.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2008-11-12). "Carbene-Stabilized Diphosphorus". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 130 (45): 14970–14971. doi:10.1021/ja807828t. ISSN   0002-7863. PMID   18937460.
11. Wang, Yuzhong; Robinson, Gregory H. (2011-12-06). "Carbene-stabilized main group diatomic allotropes". Dalton Transactions. 41 (2): 337–345. doi:10.1039/C1DT11165E. ISSN   1477-9234. PMID   21904737.
12. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; King, R. Bruce; Schaefer, Henry F.; von R Schleyer, Paul; Robinson, Gregory H. (2008-08-22). "A stable silicon(0) compound with a Si=Si double bond". Science. 321 (5892): 1069–1071. Bibcode:2008Sci...321.1069W. doi:10.1126/science.1160768. ISSN   1095-9203. PMID   18719279. S2CID   8841483.
13. Wang, Yuzhong; Chen, Mingwei; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Schaefer, Henry F.; Schleyer, Paul von R.; Robinson, Gregory H. (June 2015). "Stabilization of elusive silicon oxides". Nature Chemistry. 7 (6): 509–513. Bibcode:2015NatCh...7..509W. doi:10.1038/nchem.2234. ISSN   1755-4349. PMID   25991530.
14. Wang, Y.; Hickox, H. P.; Xie, Y.; Wei, P.; Blair, S. A.; Johnson, M. K.; Schaefer Hf, 3rd; Robinson, G. H. (2017). "Europe PMC". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 139 (20): 6859–6862. doi:10.1021/jacs.7b03794. PMC   5551979 . PMID   28482154 . Retrieved 2020-02-15.
15. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Blair, Soshawn A.; Cui, Dongtao; Johnson, Michael K.; Schaefer, Henry F.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2018). "Stable Boron Dithiolene Radicals". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 57 (26): 7865–7868. doi:10.1002/anie.201804298. ISSN   1521-3773. PMC   7679077 . PMID   29756257.
16. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Schaefer, Henry F.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2019-03-12). "Redox chemistry of an anionic dithiolene radical". Dalton Transactions. 48 (11): 3543–3546. doi:10.1039/C8DT04989K. ISSN   1477-9234. PMID   30747182. S2CID   73429015.
17. Wang, Yuzhong; Tope, Cynthia A.; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Urbauer, Jeffrey L.; Schaefer, Henry F.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2020). "Carbene-Stabilized Disilicon as a Silicon-Transfer Agent: Synthesis of a Dianionic Silicon Tris(dithiolene) Complex". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 59 (23): 8864–8867. doi: 10.1002/anie.201916395 . ISSN   1521-3773. PMID   32154633. S2CID   212652322.
18. Wang, Yuzhong; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Blair, Soshawn A.; Cui, Dongtao; Johnson, Michael K.; Schaefer, Henry F.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2020-10-14). "A Stable Naked Dithiolene Radical Anion and Synergic THF Ring-Opening". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 142 (41): 17301–17305. doi:10.1021/jacs.0c08495. ISSN   0002-7863. PMC   7682752 . PMID   32985175.
19. Wang, Yuzhong; Tran, Phuong M.; Xie, Yaoming; Wei, Pingrong; Glushka, John N.; Schaefer, Henry F.; Robinson, Gregory H. (2021). "Carbene-Stabilized Dithiolene (L0) Zwitterions" . Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 60 (42): 22706–22710. doi:10.1002/anie.202108498. ISSN   1521-3773. PMID   34314562. S2CID   236471381.
20. "2004-2005". www.sigmaxi.org. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
21. "Research Awards | Gregory H. Robinson". University of Georgia Office of Research. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
22. Fosgate, Helen (2010-04-19). "2010 Creative Research Award-Gregory H. Robinson". UGA Today. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
23. Fahmy, Sam (2012-05-23). "UGA's Gregory H. Robinson honored with Humboldt Research Award". UGA Today. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
24. "University of Georgia Chemist Wins Humboldt Research Award". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
25. Fahmy, Sam (2012-08-28). "UGA's Gregory H. Robinson receives F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry". UGA Today. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
26. "F. Albert Cotton Award In Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry | Chemical & Engineering News". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
27. Fahmy, Sam (2014-04-09). "Noted UGA chemist Gregory H. Robinson receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award". UGA Today. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
28. "SEC Faculty Achievement Awards | SECU". www.thesecu.com. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
29. Flurry, Alan (2017-03-21). "UGA's Robinson named Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry". UGA Today. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
30. Says, Elainesdream (2017-03-31). "Gregory Robinson Named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Retrieved 2020-02-03.

External links

• The Robinson Lab