Our research focuses on the development of molecular main group compounds with the special emphasis to their applications in small molecules activation and homogeneous catalysis. In addition, our ongoing research towards design and synthesis of unconventional carbon-based ligands allows us to exploit them in transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni and Cu in particular) catalysis as well as organocatalysts.

A. Small Molecules (such as H₂, N₂, O₂, CO, N₂O, and CO₂), Activation: Small molecules activation is typically a domain reserved for transition metals. Some, seemingly very simple main group compounds (especially non-quenched Lewis acid-base pairs, cationic boron and silicon compounds) have shown to be very effective in activating small molecules. Although, some remarkable advances have been made during the last five years, the field is still in its infancy. Our research addresses fundamental questions related to the small molecules activation by main group compounds.

B. Main Group Compounds as Catalysts: Ability of the main group compounds of our interest in activating small molecules can be extended to homogeneous catalysis. By understanding the details of their reactivity, complemented with theoretical findings, rational design can afford improved catalysts.

C. Ligand Design and Synthesis: Besides metal center, properties and the reactivity of organometallic compounds can be tuned with the appropriate ligand selection. Fine tuning in the donor- and/or acceptor properties of a ligand system may have a significant influence on the reactivity of a metal complex. The electron richness and variable structure of the NHCs provide a unique class of strong σ-donor ligand. Small variation in NHC can have a remarkable change in their donor/acceptor properties. Unconventional carbon-based ligands featuring (i) extended (remote) carbene center(s), (ii) multi-carbene donor sites, (iii) carbene center at unusual position, and (iv) hybrid ligands are of particular interest.

D. Organocatalysis: Aimed NHCs and their modified forms can be used as organocatalysts.

E. In comparison to carbenes and silylenes, chemistry of metal-free borylenes (BR), nitrenes (NR), and related species (in condensed phase) is still underdeveloped. So far, only one thermally stable (metal-free) borylene is known, which features a three-coordinated boron atom. We are interested to stabilize such reactive species or to insert them selectively into a σ-bond via C-X (X = H, C, B, N) bond activation, which may allow us to isolate interesting compounds with promising properties.