We are primarily interested in the design and synthesis of novel carbene ligands, and in tuning their ligand properties through incorporation of main group elements in the ligand skeleton (e.g. 1). The influence of the ligand properties of these new carbenes on the catalytic activity of the metal systems that incorporate them is subsequently investigated. The identification of more powerful catalytic systems is the ultimate goal of this area, however, the potential of polycarbenes as bulding blocks in new materials is not neglected. More information here.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs, e.g. 2) are carbon ligands with excellent σ-donor properties. After the first isolation of the free ligand in 1991, NHCs have demonstrated outstanding ligand properties and have found increasing importance as ancillary ligands in catalysis. Most notably, NHCs are components in the Grubbs II catalysts for olefin metathesis.

The research aims at the synthesis, characterization and investigation of the coordination properties of cyclopentadienyl analogs containing main group elements in the ring framework (e.g. 3). The incorporation of main group elements such as B, N, P, O and S in the cyclopentadienyl skeleton has a significant impact onto the electronic properties of the ligand. The ultimate goal of this research is the design of ligands capable to π-bridge transition metals, forming polydecker sandwich complexes (stacked polymers).  The applicability of the new cyclopentadienyl analogs as ancillary ligands in catalytic systems is also investigated. More information here.
The first sandwich complex, ferrocene, was isolated and characterized in 1951, and in 1973 a Nobel prize rewarded the synthetic work and the elucidation of the bonding in this compound (E. O. Fischer, G. Wilkinson). In the years to follow, this area developed rapidly and today sandwich complexes and derivatives thereof have a significant economic impact as catalysts and components in materials with special properties. Cyclopentadienyl (4) remains (arguably) the most common organic ligand in organometallic chemistry.

This area is currently not active.

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