Main research lines

Within the Organometallic Chemistry field, the research carried out by the group is particularly aimed to the study of processes of synthesis and reactivity of those derivatives which promote the regio- and enantioselective formation of new C-C bonds through both stoichiometric and catalytic routes.

In the last years, we have focused our interest in transition metals complexes of Groups 8 and 9. More recently, we have initiated the development of catalytic systems in aqueous chemistry and with atomic economy, all in keeping with the principles of Green Chemistry and in response to the modern requests of Industry. In this way, the development of efficient and selective chemical processes may be in accordance with a sustainable chemistry.

The most relevant contributions may be summarised as follows:

• Synthesis and reactivity of ruthenium compounds of different types: i) with unsaturated carbene groups such as alkenyl-alkylidene, vinylidene, allenylidene. The reactivity of these species with nucleophiles and in insertion processes reveals their high capacity to promote the formation of regio- and stereoselective C-C bonds. In this way, unknown procedures have been developed for the generation of highly unsaturated cumulenic chains and cyclobutenylidenes by a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between C-C double bonds in mild conditions. ii) With hemilabile and/or chiral ligands that originate reactive species which promote a highly selective catalytic and/or stoichiometric activity. iii) Water-soluble compounds suitable to develop chemical reactions in water solutions.

• Catalytic processes: We have carried out research about the catalytic activity of ruthenium and rhodium organometallic derivatives in processes of synthetic and/or industrial interest, such as dimerization of alkynes, synthesis of aldehydes and ketones, synthesis of hydrocarbonated polymers by ring-opening reactions of cyclic olefins (ROMP), synthesis of chiral alcohols by transfer hydrogenation of ketones and isomerization of allylic alcohols to ketones in water media. Some of these compounds may be considered as good examples of the most efficient and selective catalysts described in the literature so far.