Project Grant 2555582

The National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry awarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology $600,000 on August 15, 2026, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) to conduct fundamental synthetic chemistry research on d-block and p-block element molecules, reagents, and precursors.

Dr. Christopher C. Cummins and his research team will explore synthesis and characterization of strained, phosphorus-rich organic molecules, with particular focus on triphosphatetrahedrane—a metastable molecule composed of hydrogen, carbon, and phosphorus that converts to a polymeric form for materials physical analysis. The team will improve synthetic methods and applications of diazoborane compounds and extend dinitrogen group transfer methodology to other main group elements, aiming to deliver synthetic access to new atomic groupings that enable mapping of reactivity patterns and physical properties. Applications include development of reactive intermediates for pharmaceutical and materials science use, and generation of metastable phases inaccessible by conventional methods. The research supports the NSF advanced manufacturing priority area and includes spectroscopic characterization of potential interstellar molecules for astrochemical identification and professional development of graduate and undergraduate student researchers.

Work is performed at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The period of performance extends from the award date through July 31, 2029. The funding type is a Project Grant.