Research Unit Inorganic Chemistry

The research division inorganic chemistry deals with Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis with special emphasis on the use of base metals (earth abundant metals) instead of precious metals for homogenous catalysis. Among others one field of application is the selective transformation of small molecules (H2, O2, CO2) into high-value chemical feedstocks and energy resources.

The Magneto- & Thermochemistry focuses on Fe(II) spin crossover compounds as well as lanthanide and actinide coordination chemistry. Furthermore, thermochemical energy storage materials based on salt hydrates and transition metal ammoniates are developed and characterized.

The Applied Radiochemistry has a broad research portfolio from environmental radioactivity to nuclear forensics, nuclear emergency preparedness to synthetic chemistry of radioactive elements. There is also a strong connection to the Center for Labelling and Isotope Production (CLIP) at the TRIGA Center Atominstitut.

Our target is bridging fundamental research and industrial application.

Core competences

  • Organometallic Chemistry: ligand design for environmental benign non-precious metal catalysts

  • Catalysis design: mechanistic aspects, surface chemistry, computational chemistry

  • Magnetochemistry: ligand design for fluorescent Fe(II) spin crossover compounds, lanthanide complexes with interesting optical and/or magnetic properties

  • Thermochemistry: thermochemical energy storage materials, salt hydrates, transition metal salt ammoniates

  • Radiochemistry: nuclear forensics, environmental radioactivity, nuclear emergency preparedness, synthetic chemistry of radioactive elements

Research Groups