Research
My research group aims at the discovery of new highly-reactive transition metal compounds and their applications in coordination chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. Our work particularly focusses on the chemistry of the abundant and biorelevant 3d-metal complexes iron, cobalt and nickel, typically with these metals in very low oxidation states. The highly-reduced nature of the complexes translates into a high reactivity of such species, which have great potential in small molecule activation and catalysis. Some of our projects specialize in phosphorus chemistry, specifically the intriguing and complex transformations of the white phosphorus (P4) molecule. Among other objectives, the ERC-funded project FunctionalP4 aims at the discovery of new methods for converting P4 into new or useful organophosphorus compounds. In further projects, phosphaalkynes and phosphabenzenes are used as building blocks for the construction of new versatile phosphaorganic and phosphaorganometallic complexes. Finally, photoredox catalysis is an important area of our research, where our efforts focus on the use of 3d transition metal catalysts in various visible-light-mediated transformations. For further information on the different projects can be found in the tabs below.
If you are interested in joining our team as a PhD student or as a post-doc we will be happy to hear from you. Applications (single .pdf document) should typically include a letter of motivation, CV, an academic transcript of records, and contact information of two references, preferably in English. Prospective PhD students and postdocs should send their application letters to robert.wolf@ur.de.
Positions are available within the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 325 Assembly-Controlled Photocatalysis (project A4)
In collaboration with research groups at Regensburg, Munich and Leipzig, we develop photoredox reactions catalyzed by 3d transition metal complexes. Use of substrate-catalyst preassembly offers the chance to overcome some of the key shortcomings of current 3d metal photocatalysts, specifically the extremely short excited state lifetimes of most 3d metal species. Building upon promising preliminary work, this project will investigate ‘outer sphere’ interactions, in which the substrate interacts with the ligand sphere of the metal (e.g. through π-π interactions with heterocyclic ligands or hydrogen bonding to pendant hydrogen bond donors), and ‘inner sphere’ interactions, in which the substrate binds strongly or weakly at the metal atom. In both cases, coordination chemical studies will determine the optimal design principles for the envisaged photocatalysts, alongside analysis of their electronic structures. To guide the development of this project it will be crucial to understand the specific interactions that exist between substrates and catalysts both in the ground and excited states. This fundamental knowledge will then permit the targeted development of applications in organic synthesis, which harness the specific advantages of the developed catalysts in comparison with precious metal compounds.