SilaCoFeCC · New Anionic Ligands for Base Metal Catalysis

The development of catalysts based on cheap and non-toxic first-row transition metals in replacement of the traditional precious metals is broadly recognized as a key challenge for the development of environmentally friendly chemistry. Here, we propose the development of novel silicon-based ligands specifically tailored to support organometallic chemistry at first-row transition metals (Fe and Co) and their application to the mechanistic study and development of C-C bond forming reactions. The applicant has received his undergraduate (EPFL) and graduate (ETHZ) education in Switzerland and then spent 2.5 years as a researcher at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); he is now returning to Europe to start building up an independent research and teaching career at Utrecht University. The knowledge obtained in this research project will be shared with young European scientists through teaching and mentoring.