CoAlCo

Catalysis is a key technology in modern chemical processes, ranging from the industrial production of bulk chemicals to the precise diversification of complex molecules such as pharmaceuticals. By definition, a catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction by lowering activation barriers without being consumed in the process. Employing a catalyst thus allows to perform and even control reactions, that would otherwise be inaccessible. Within the field organometallic catalysts play a central role. These are molecularly defined compounds in which organic molecules are bound to a central metal atom or ion. The (often reversible) binding to the metal centre allows the activation and transformation of organic molecules, for example by breaking existing bonds and forming new ones. Most organometallic catalysts traditionally only feature a single metal centre at which reactions can take place. In contrast, bimetallic systems (i.e. organometallic compounds containing two metals centres in close proximity to each other) offer a number of unique properties that are based on cooperative effects between the two metals. The synergistic interplay of two metal centres are common features in catalytic systems ranging from metalloenzymes in nature to heterogeneous reactions at the surface of metal alloys. In this project, my team and I are going to investigate novel organometallic compounds. While the most active and efficient monometallic catalysts to date are based on expensive and rare precious metals, such as palladium or rhodium, we aim to develop reactive bimetallic compounds based on the cheap and highly abundant elements cobalt and aluminium. We will explore the cooperative effects between these two metals with the goal to discover so far unknown reactions. Our systems have the potential to extend and complement the reactivity of classical organometallic catalysts. Possible applications do not only lie in the field classical synthesis, but also in upgrading or recycling of chemicals derived from renewable sources or waste materials. This includes the conversion of biomass, plastics or poorly degradable and environmentally harmful compounds into synthetically useful chemical building blocks, representing important challenges on the way to a sustainable circular economy.