Research interests are primarily in the area of main-group organometallic chemistry (particularly the organometallic chemistry of the s-block metals). Currently our research efforts are focused upon two main topics:
We are looking into the synthesis, characterisation and coordination chemistry of selenolate and tellurolate complexes of both main-group and transition metals, with particular emphasis on the synthesis of novel phosphochalcogenolate complexes. These species are of interest due to their wide range of possible applications. Some of these applications which we are currently interested in exploiting are: (i) as new reagents for the synthesis of selenium and tellurium containing organics; (ii) as single source precursors for CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) processes towards a variety of metal chalcogenolide materials with interesting electronic and optoelectronic properties; (iii) as model systems for various biologically active metalloproteins such as alcohol dehydrogenase, ferredoxins and blue copper proteins; (iv) in the synthesis of new organic charge-transfer compounds; (v) as new ligand systems for use in homogenous catalysis.
Cuprates and Cyanocuprates play a prominent role among the many organometallic compounds which can be used for selective formation of C-C bonds. However, despite their propensity in this important field very little is known of their structures either in solution or in the solid state and they are often simply represented by formulas which only reflect the ratio of the copper salt to the organolithium reagent.
We are therefore investigating the structures of these reagents using a variety of spectroscopic techniques including X-ray crystallography and multinuclear NMR. It is by studying the structures of these reagents that we are in order to glean an insight into the mechanism of their operation and in particular the source of any observed regio- or stereo-specificity. Mechanistic knowledge gained in this way can then be used to devise new more efficient organocopper reagents which exhibit enhanced reactivity and selectivity.