Research Activity

The research activity of the group is mainly devoted to the basic aspects of the organometallic chemistry of the transition metals, and is particularly focussed on synthetic, theoretical, structural and reactivity aspects of the binuclear carbonyls of the transition metals. Special interest is paid to intra- and intermolecular activation of C-H, C-C, P-C and P-H bonds, the synthesis of heterometallic clusters and the chemical behaviour of highly electrophilic or highly nucleophilic compounds. This is accomplished by combining the presence of multiple intermetallic bonds with positive or negative charges (unsaturated cations and anions) or with unpaired electrons (unsaturated organometallic radicals). To preserve the nuclearity of these unsaturated compounds we have used different P-donor ligands such as diphosphine, diphosphite, and dialkyl or diarylphosphide ligands. A more recent research line focuses on the synergic effects arising from the presence in a single molecule of multiple metal-metal bonds along with other multiple bonds, such as metal-carbon (carbyne complexes) and metal-phosphorus (phosphinidene complexes), or bonds beteen different metal atoms (heterometallic complexes).
Along with the above fundamental research, the group has been also involved in the search of molecular complexes able to catalyse the decomposition reaction of nitrogen oxides (important atmospheric pollutants), or the deshydrogenation of ammonia-borane and related compounds (a target of interest in the field of energy generation and storage). The group is also involved in the search of metal complexes able to promote the functionalization of white phosphorus, another target of environmental interest.