Research/Teaching Interests

Research interests in our group encompass the areas of catalytic organometallics chemistry, with a special focus on control of chirality and electronics via rational ligand design. In the major thrust of the research program, we are developing Lewis acidic metal centres supported by chiral ligands for the enantioselective and controlled ring opening polymerization of cyclic lactones to form biodegradable polyesters. In addition to polymerization, we are interested in using chiral indium complexes as catalysts in a myriad of organic transformations.

We will be addressing these challenges with an interdisciplinary approach. Catalyst design and application will be at the heart of a program that will span organic, inorganic, organometallic, and polymer chemistry. Students will get a chance to gain synthetic skills such as manipulation of air/oxygen sensitive materials, become familiar with analytical and characterization techniques such as chromatography and NMR spectroscopy, and get an introduction to enantioselective methodology and mechanistic investigation.