Research Interests

The emergence of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) has led to the activation of small molecules using group 13 and 15 centres. We are currently exploring catalytic reactivity of customised FLPs to target a variety of molecule activations and catalytic transformation. 

Key References:

Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 1934–1937

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 10682–10686

Chem. Eur. J. 2019, 25, 6290–6294

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 2572–2578 

 Org Lett. 2021, 23, 1915–1920 

PCP pincer complexes featuring alkylidene central donors have shown huge potential in synergistic metal-ligand bond-activation chemistry. Unfortunately, these ligands are often difficult to access, especially for base metal examples. Our group has found new ways to access such complexes and is currently exploring their potential in challenging bond-activation processes and metal-ligand cooperative catalysis.

Key References:

 Organometallics 2017, 36, 3117–3124

Dalton Trans. 2017, 46, 15407–15414

Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 8234–8241

Organometallics 2020, 39, 797–803

 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 18168–18177

Traditionally, metal hydrides are thought of as being basic in nature. Through the use of phosphine-based pincer-type ligands, we are developing ever more acidic metal hydrides that can undergo alternate reactivity with a number of substrates as compared to their more traditionally basic counterparts.

Key References:

Organometallics 2017, 36, 1609–1617

Dalton Trans. 2020, 49, 15184–15189

 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 10700–10708