Pierre Kennepohl
Pierre Kennepohl
Associate Professor
Spectroscopy of Intermediates in Biological and Homogeneous Catalysis: Investigations of sulfur-based redox processes and their role in enzymatic catalysis, oxidative stress, and redox signaling. Exploration of transition metal species involved in catalysis (dioxygen binding and oxidation, olefin metathesis, etc.).
Research/Teaching Interests
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My research centres on probing the relationship between electronic structure and reactivity in catalytic systems. Emphasis is placed on the application of element-specific spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) as a means of generating experimentally-validated electronic and geometric structure descriptions of catalytically relevant species. |
Recent investigations by Thamy Sriskandakumar, in collaboration with Prof Peter J. Sadler and members of his group provided new insights into the possible mechanism of action of a series of potent cytotoxic ruthenium(II) arene complexes of interest as potential anticancer drugs. (see J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131(37), 13355–13361) |
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Other spectroscopic techniques (such as UV/Vis/NIR Absorption and EPR), as well as computational methods, are used as complementary methods to explore such species. We have varied interests in a number of areas spanning bioinorganic, organometallic, and physical inorganic chemistry. Specific projects are (as much as possible) tailored to the specific interests and strengths of students. |
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