Bond Activation with Main Group Bimetallic Bonds

Many catalysts feature rare elements such as rhodium or iridium.

Replacing these expensive elements, with Earth abundant metals in just a few bond-forming processes will radically change catalysis, reducing costs and making chemical synthesis more sustainable.

Abundant light main group metals are restricted to a single oxidation state without a significant input of energy or kinetic intervention.

It follows that redox-style catalysis is not currently reported for such elements, which this project seeks address using bimetallic cooperation.

In this project you will prepare unprecedented bimetallic E-E' bonds between light s- and p-block metals (E/E'= Mg or Al) and investigate bond-forming catalysis enabled by the main group bond.

Knowledge of synthetic inorganic chemistry is required and some experience with air- and moisture sensitive techniques is preferred but not essential.