Research interests

Activation of small molecules with biological, pharmacological, environmental or industrial interest or related ones [e.g., alkanes (functionalization under mild conditions), alkynes, phosphaalkynes, isocyanides, carbon monoxide, dinitrogen, nitriles, cyanamides, nitric oxide, oximes, oxadiazolines, carboxamides, amidines, olefins, azides or cyanates] by transition metal centres, and developing their application in metal-mediated synthesis and catalysis, namely by searching for mimetic systems of biological processes (e.g. catalysed by peroxidases, particulate methanemonooxygenase, nitrile hydratases and nitrogenases), alternatives for industrial processes and new types of molecular activation with significance in fine chemistry (including the synthesis of compounds with bioactivity). Also comprehending: crystal engineering of coordination compounds, self-assembly of polynuclear and supramolecular structures, transition metal and organometallic chemistries and catalysis in aqueous media, and high pressure gas reactions and catalysis
Molecular Electrochemistry of coordination and organic compounds, namely towards applications in electrosynthesis, electrocatalysis and in mechanistic studies, as well as in the establishment of potential-structure relationships, and in the induction of chemical reactivity by electron-transfer
Theoretical calculations for the interpretation of properties and reactivity, at the molecular level
For the purpose, various techniques and methods (with the acquisition of the corresponding required instrumentation) have been brought in the research Centre by himself and his group, namely for: a) catalysis under unconventional conditions, such as, metal-free, solvent-free, microwave assisted, or in supercritical fluid; b) high pressure gas reactions and catalysis (since 1999, with the cooperation of Prof. A. Palavra); c) conventional molecular electrochemistry (since 1980, e.g. cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential electrolysis and, more recently, electrocatalysis); d) unconventional molecular electrochemistry (since 1990, including the use of ultramicroelectrodes in fast voltammetry, the development and use of digital simulation methods in cyclic voltammetry and their application to mechanistic studies of electrode processes involving fast reactions induced by electron-transfer, in electrocatalysis, etc.); e) stopped-flow spectrophotometry (since 1990, applied to the kinetic investigation of fast reactions, e.g. protonations, in Coordination Chemistry); f) mass spectrometry (including fast atom bombardment, FAB-MS) and its coupling to gas-chromatography (GC-MS) (since 1990, applied to the identification of compounds, e.g. reaction products, and to the induction and monitoring of reactions in FAB conditions); g) thermogravimetry (since 2009); h) microwave promoted synthesis (since 2001); i) catalysis in supercritical fluid (since 2007, with the cooperation of Prof. A. Palavra)
Scientific Specialities: i) Coordination chemistry of small molecules. ii) Catalysis. iii) Metal-mediated synthesis of organic compounds. iv) Transition metal and organometallic chemistries in aqueous media. v) High pressure gas reactions. vi) Reactions in supercritical fluid medium. vii) Microwave assisted reactions. viii) Self-assembly of polynuclear and supramolecular structures. ix) Crystal structure design and growth (crystal engineering). x) Complexes with multiple metal-carbon bonds. xi) Electrochemistry of complexes. xii) Mechanisms of reactions. xiii) Multinuclear NMR spectrometry. xiv) Mass spectrometry

Field of Research (FOS)

Chemical sciences

External profiles

ORCID: 0000-0001-8323-888X
Scopus: 7006067269

Scientific production