Catalysis by design

高精度、最少浪费的化学方法的选择是均相催化，而新的或改进的催化的关键是设计新的配体，这种分子可以“微调”金属在催化中的行为。我们的研究计划旨在了解和量化配体的性质，将这些量与实验性能联系起来，并通过这一点最大限度地利用催化活性金属。一个特别的目的是用铁、钴和镍等更便宜的元素取代昂贵的铂金属催化剂。另一个是开发能够打破碳-氧键的催化剂(生物质丰富，是未来的原料)，而不会被它们灭活。

The method of choice for high-precision, minimal-waste chemistry is homogeneous catalysis, and the key to new or improved catalysis is design of new ligands, molecules that can "fine-tune" the behaviour of metals in catalysis. Our research program is aimed at understanding and quantifying ligand properties, connecting these quantities with experimental performance, and through this get the most out of catalytically active metals. One specific purpose is replacing expensive platinum metal catalysts with cheaper elements like iron, cobalt and nickel. Another one is developing catalysts that can break carbon-oxygen bonds (abundant in biomass, the feedstock of the future) without being deactivated by them.