University of Tasmania, Australia

Exploration of mechanism in organometallic chemistry related to roles of metal catalysts in organic synthesis

The higher oxidation states of palladium, i.e. Pd(III) and Pd(IV), are rapidly becoming very important in the development of novel organic synthesis methods. We were the first to synthesise organopalladium(IV) complexes, and our recent work is particularly relevant in developing an understanding of mechanism in organic synthesis. The project will involve organometallic chemistry of palladium and platinum, with an emphasis on synthesis and modern NMR techniques to probe mechanism of reactions.