We are interested in combining metal-based systems to generate synergic properties for new kinds of chemical reactivity combined with ease of application.
Synergic activity can be achieved by making molecular species that are heteropolymetallic. Examples include alkali metal ’ates (e.g. cuprates). We are investigating the dynamic rearrangement of alkali metal ’ates in solution to give active species in situ. The aim is to explore the possibility of making the deprotonative metalation of organics catalytic with respect to main group bases. We also synthesize metal-based nanomaterials. We typically integrate this approach into the preparation of composite materials.
These composites combine the properties of the active nanomaterials with the ability of a support matrix to stabilize them, sift complex reagent mixtures, facilitate nanomaterials recovery or provide a transportation mechanism.
RECENT PAPERS
Facile Synthesis of SnO2-PbS Nanocomposites with Controlled Structure for Applications in Photocatalysis Nanoscale 2016, 8, 2727.
Metal Exchange in Lithiocuprates: Implications for our Understanding of Cu bonding Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 4904.
E aehw2@cam.ac.uk
T 01223 763966
W www.ch.cam.ac.uk/person/aehw2