Next Generation Catalysts for a Sustainable Future
Our Current Research Interests
Bimetallic Chemistry
The combination of two metal centres, which are directly bound together in the bimetallic framework, aim to develop our fundamental understanding of chemical bonding, and will open up new reactivity pathways not accessible to monometallic compounds. This will lead to the establishment of many new sustainable catalytic processes and target the activation of strong bonds such as those found within greenhouse gases.
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Synthesis and reactivity of bis-tris(pyrazolyl)borate lanthanide-aluminium heterobimetallic trihydride complexes
T. Chowdhury, F. Murphy, A.R. Kennedy, C. Wilson, J. H. Farnaby and C. E. Weetman [pre-print] -
CO2 fixation and catalytic reduction by a neutral aluminium double bond
C. Weetman, P. Bag, T. Silzvási, C. Jandl, S. Inoue. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed, 2019, 58, 10961-10965. [Weblink] -
Dialumenes – aryl vs. silyl stabilisation for small molecule activation and catalysis
C. Weetman, A. Porzelt, P. Bag, F. Hanusch, S. Inoue. Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 4817-4827. [Weblink]
Ligand Design
N-Heterocyclic Carbenes are ubiquitous in organometallic chemistry, particulary in the stabilisation of low oxidation state Main Group Chemistry. We are interested in using flexible NHC systems so that we can access more reactive systems and understand structure-reactivity relationships.
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Synthesis and Reactivity of an Aluminium N-Heterocyclic Aminal
T. Wilde, F. Murphy, C. R. T. Smylie, A. R. Kennedy, C. E. Weetman
Chem. Asian. J. 2024 (Just Accepted) [Weblink] -
Synthesis and Structural Comparisons of NHC Alanes
F. Murphy, A. R. Kennedy, C. E. Weetman,
Inorganics 2023, 11(1) [Weblink]
Earth Abundant Catalysis
We are interested in the design and development of new catalysts based upon environmentally benign and abundant metals, namely aluminium and magnesium the third and seventh most abundant elements found within the Earth’s crust, respectively. Use of these main group elements will provide a stark contrast to the precious transition metals currently employed in industry, which are typically toxic and, with their limited long-term supply, expensive.
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Alkaline earths as main group reagents in molecular catalysis
M.S. Hill, D.J. Liptrot, C. Weetman, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016, 45, 972-988 [Weblink]
Sustainability
Tomorrow’s chemistry needs greater use of more sustainable resources in keeping with the “United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Our research looks to develop new methodologies based upon use of green solvents, or ways in which we can decrease overall energy expenditure by reducing reactions times and minimising solvent use.