Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Krüger
The synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes is a research focus. Transition metal complexes with bridged radical ligands are produced and their spin-crossover and valence tautomerism properties are investigated. Our studies also focus on molecular switches.
Complexes with several spin centers are investigated with regard to their magnetochemistry.
The bioinorganic chemistry of transition metal ions is another field of research.
Prof. Dr. Werner Thiel
The synthesis and characterization of catalysts is at the heart of our research activities. In the field of homogeneous catalysis with transition metal compounds, a special focus is on the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and structure/effect relationships.
To this end, we use a variety of spectroscopic methods, quantum chemical calculations and kinetic measurements.
In the field of heterogeneous catalysis, we concentrate on the covalent or electrostaticimmobilization of catalytically active centers on inert and porous inorganic oxides with a high specific surface area.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Becker
Our research interests focus on complexes of 3d metals. Here we deal with multinuclear complexes in the field of homogeneous catalysis, photoswitchable complexes and complex formation in a metalloneurochemical context.
Multinuclear metal complexes have the ability to store more than one oxidation or reduction equivalent. Cooperative effects resulting from interactions between the metal ions can also give rise to new properties and reactivities. These special features make multinuclear metal complexes promising catalysts for multi-electron redox reactions, which are important in the context of industrial oxidation reactions, for example. Another focus is on the investigation of such systems in conjunction with photoswitches. These photoswitches allow, for example, the form, composition, reactivity or general function of the compounds under investigation to be controlled by an external stimulus, which in turn is of interest for reactivity control.
3d metals also play an important role in the central nervous system (CNS), where they control fundamental processes such as sensory perception, but also memory and learning ability. In order to gain insights into these processes, synthetically tailored tools in the form of fluorescence sensors and chelators are required. In collaboration with biology and toxicology groups, we use these tools to elucidate the role of zinc in particular in living cells.