Transition metal complexes for oxidative transformations of hydrocarbons

奥滕韦尔德小组从事金属离子化学的研究，并对氧化过程特别感兴趣。工业非常需要能源可行和环境友好的反应，将碳氢化合物、石油和天然气的成分转化为有用的化学品。然而，在温和的条件下，碳氢化合物的直接氧化转化仍然非常困难。大自然通过使用在环境友好的条件下工作的含有金属的酶来优化许多这样的反应；因此，这是这种化学的巨大灵感来源。因此，我的团队的研究目标有两个：(1)了解酶的效率的来源，(2)制备能够执行困难的氧化反应的催化剂。我们最初的方法是用含有金属的小分子(称为金属络合物)来模拟酶的活性部位，并研究它们的反应行为。模型和酶的比较将使我们了解实现强烈反应活性所必需的因素。接下来，我们将把这些因素落实到金属络合物中，以执行高效的催化。

The Ottenwaelder group pursues research in the chemistry of metal ions and is specifically interested in oxidation processes. Industry has a great need for energetically viable and environmentally friendly reactions that convert hydrocarbons, the constituents of oil and natural gas, into useful chemicals. Yet, the direct oxidative transformation of hydrocarbons remains tremendously difficult to achieve in mild conditions. Nature has optimized many such reactions through the use of metal-containing enzymes that operate in environmentally friendly conditions; it is therefore a great source of inspiration for this chemistry. The research goals of my group are thus two-fold: (1) to understand the origin of the efficiency of the enzymes, and (2) to prepare catalysts that can perform difficult oxidation reactions. Our initial approach is to model the enzymatic active sites with small metal-containing molecules (called metal complexes) and study their reactivity behaviour. Comparison of the models and the enzymes will inform us on the factors necessary to achieve a strong reactivity. Next, we will implement these factors in metal complexes to perform efficient catalysis.