FLP-Reactivity: Metal-free Activation of Small Molecules
Our research focusses on catalytic transformations using main-group element catalysts. Particularly Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP) are of high interest since they allow for metal-free hydrogenations, dehydrogenations, hydroaminations and general reductions. We develop new FLP-catalyzed transformations and utilize physicl-organic chemistry to provide mechanistic insight.
C–S Cross-Coupling for Sulfur- and Nitrogen-rich Heteroacenes
The C–S cross-coupling is a powerful molecular tool for the construction of densely fused polycyclic heteroacenes. This allows for the concise construction of sulfur-rich heteroacenes with unusual electronic structure. Donor–acceptor systems display open-shell characetristics with narrow singelt/triplet gap.
Phosphorous-catalyzed Reactions
The group combines synthetic organophosphorus design with physical-organic and computational studies (thermodynamics/kinetics, association constants, DFT collaborations) to understand and tune reactivity and selectivity.
