Fekl, Ulrich

Full Research Description:
My research program is about developing novel homogeneous catalysts for important organic transformations, based on inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes. Metal complexes will be used which are electrophilic in the sense that they bind to electron-donating substrates, but which are very different from electrophilic catalysts currently employed because they bind to substrates in unusual ways. For example, it is very uncommon for a metal complex to bind to substrates using heteroatoms (instead of the metal itself), a binding mode which will be exploited. In a different project, complexes bind using a metal center which is in a special electronic and geometric situation: it has strong ligand-field stabilization and yet high kinetic lability. I also have interest and very significant experience in using transition metals for the activation of strong C-H bonds. Developments in the above fields can contribute to a better utilization of our hydrocarbon resources.

Selected References:

● Ulrich Fekl, Werner Kaminsky, and Karen I. Goldberg, ‘beta-Diiminate Platinum Complexes for Alkane Dehydrogenation’ J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 15286-15287.

● Ulrich Fekl and Karen I. Goldberg, ‘Homogeneous Hydrocarbon C-H Bond Activation and Functionalization with Platinum’ Adv. Inorg. Chem. 2003, 54, 259-320.

● Ulrich Fekl, Rudi van Eldik, Chris Richardson, and Ward T. Robinson ‘Bowl-Shaped and Highly Inert Bis(µ-hydroxo)-platinum(II) Dimer’ Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 3247-3251.