Prof Kingsley Cavell - Dip App Chem MSc PhD FRACI FRSC FLSW
Research Interests
- Design and synthesis of novel N-heterocyclic carbenes, and functionalised derivatives as ligands in transition metal complexes. Investigation of the complexes as catalystsin a range of reactions. Investigation of mechanistic steps including decomposition pathways.
- Synthesis of imidazole based chelating and tridetateligands of, for example NNN, NON and NPN donor types and subsequent coordination and organometallic complexes, and their application in catalysis.
- Studies on catalytic reaction steps, looking at ligand bonding/structure-catalytic behaviour relationships. Identification and isolation of reaction intermediates.
Ligand design (and synthesis) and mechanistic understanding are powerful tools in the creation of new and effective catalysts. The development of efficient/"green" methods for the production of fine and specialty chemicals (eg pharmaceuticals) is dependent on the discovery of efficient methods of forming these bonds, ie by the use of catalysts.
Studies within the group involve ligand and catalyst development with concurrent fundamental understanding of reaction behaviour and reaction pathways. A number of new catalyst systems have been synthesized; in recent years the focus has been on the synthesis and complexation of novel “expanded-ring” NHCs, and selected applications in catalysis. Examples of these large ring structures display exciting chemistry.
