Research
Over the past few decades, the development of new methodologies for organic synthesis and catalysis using transition metal catalysts has revolutionized the field of synthetic chemistry. Transition metal catalysts are highly effective in promoting a wide range of organic reactions, which have broad applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials industries, and have led to the development of numerous important drugs, polymers, and plant protection products. The ongoing development of new transition metal catalysts, as well as advances in mechanistic understanding, computational modeling, and spectroscopic characterization, promises to continue driving innovation in the field of synthetic chemistry and catalysis for years to come….
Catalyst design
Transition metal catalysts are essential tools for many organic syntheses, from small-scale laboratory reactions to large-scale industrial processes. Ligand design is a crucial element of catalyst generation, shaping the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions. By strategically designing ligands, we can fine-tune catalysts for specific reactions, enhancing their performance. This process involves optimizing the ligand’s steric and electronic properties to achieve precise coordination with the metal center. Ligand design is instrumental in enabling cleaner and more sustainable synthetic pathways, making it a fundamental tool for advancing catalysis in the pursuit of environmentally friendly chemical processes.
In our research group we are currently synthesizing various N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) that are known for their strong σ-donor abilities. They stabilize metal complexes, enhancing the catalytic reactions. Their stability, tunability, and versatility make NHC ligands indispensable in diverse chemical transformations.
Organic synthesis and catalysis
Organic reactions employing metal complexes are vital in modern chemistry. Many of them catalyze diverse organic reactions, from cross-coupling for carbon-carbon bond formation to hydrogenation and C-H activation. These reactions enable efficient and selective transformations, critical in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and green chemistry, making metal complexes indispensable tools in organic synthesis.
One of the research directions of our group is the development of new cross-coupling methodologies using 3d metal catalysis, which have gained prominence in organic synthesis in recent years. First of all, we presented new possibilities for the synthesis of small molecules through cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by cheap, easily available and non-toxic iron and O-coordinating ligands (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.; Green Chem., ChemSusChem). We also showed the possibility of activating the C-O bond using nickel and cobalt catalysts (ChemSusChem, Adv. Synth. Catal., Cat. Sci. Tech.). In recent years, we have expanded the scope of our research to other important catalytic reactions, by designing and synthesizing new noble metal catalysts that may prove effective in these processes (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.; ACS Catal.; Chem. Sci., Dalton Trans.).