The research interests of myself and my group centre around the design and synthesis of new inorganic and organometallic compounds.  We are particularly focussing on applications of these compounds as catalysts, advanced materials and medicines.  The types of compounds we are investigating include alkyls, hydrides, carbonyls, carbenes as well as clusters and metallocene compounds of a wide range of transition metals, including the Platinum Group Metals. 

 Projects explore the synthesis, structure and reactivity of novel organometallic compounds.  Our studies have particular relevance to industrially important catalytic reactions including CO hydrogenation as well as carbonylation and polymerisation reactions.  By improving our understanding of the mechanism of catalytic reactions, we can design more selective and efficient catalysts in the future that are not only environmentally friendly, but also give purer product at a lower cost.  We are also interested in the preparation of new materials including liquid crystals and organometallic polymers that may have novel properties and useful applications.

 A valuable aspect of the research training that a postgraduate student receives in our group stems from the diversity of the projects and the wide range of techniques used.  Students are trained in modern techniques of organometallic synthesis which includes working in an inert atmosphere as well as carrying out reactions at high pressure or low temperature.  These methods are used to prepare exciting new compounds.  The student gains expertise in modern characterisation methods such as IR, NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry.  These physical methods are also used to investigate reactivity patterns of new compounds and to measure the rates of important reactions.  We can thus find out new information about transformations that are fundamental to our understanding of chemistry and catalysis.  

We also have collaborative projects with the Department of Chemical Engineering, Medical Bio-Chemistry and Pharmacology at UCT.

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS