Ligand design and in situ spectroscopy
The main objective of this part of the research is to study the relationship between the structure of the catalyst and its performance in catalysis. In addition to the well-known steric and electronic effects, and the bite-angle, we study the use of ligands that participate in the reactions (ligand non-innocence). We have lab infrastructure that allows in situ spectroscopy by various ways (IR, NMR, UV-Vis, Stop-flow, CD-sepctroscopy, spectro-electrochemistry) in order to identify the resting state of the catalytic cycle. In combination with kinetic analysis and DFT calculations this provide crucial data to support our reaction mechanisms, which in turn is the basis for rational ligand design. We use these strategies for the development of novel metal complexes in catalysis, but also for the other topics in which understanding the catalytic action is of importance.
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