Faculty Profile

Research Interest

Main Group Organometallic Chemistry
Our research group is focused on the synthesis of novel organometallic complexes derived from main group elements, particularly calcium, boron, aluminum, silicon and phosphorus, with emphasis on the elucidation of the electronic structures and unprecedented reactivities, which lead to the possible application in catalysis, activation of small molecules, organic synthesis and material sciences. One of our goals is to prepare new organometallic complexes with unusual oxidation state, coordination number and bonding.

Heterobimetallic Catalysts
We are interested in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes incorporated with two different main group elements or transition metals. It is anticipated that two metals with different properties combined together in a complex can apply synergetically to an entirely new electronic and chemical behavior, thus enabling possible new catalytic activity. Such complexes can be applied as catalysts in olefin polymerization and ring opening polymerization.

New π-electron Systems
Our research is aimed at the synthesis of new π-electron systems containing organic π-conjugated frameworks and main group elements. It is well known that organic π-conjugated systems serve as electronic and optoelectronic devices due to the delocalization of π-electrons, while main group elements have unique electronic and structural properties. Incorporation of main group elements into the organic π-conjugated systems can change their inherent functions, which lead to an entirely new electronic behavior. We anticipate that such π-electron systems can serve as new-generation optoelectronic devices.

Selected Publications

1. Guo, J.; Lau, K.-C.; Xi, H.-W.; Lim, H. W.; So, C.-W. Chem. Commun. 2010, 49, 1929.

2. Foo, C.; Lau, K.-C.; Yang, Y.-F.; So, C.-W. Chem. Commun. 2009, 6816.

3. So, C.-W.; Roesky, H. W.; Gurubasavaraj, P. M.; Oswald, R. B.; Gamer, M. T.; Jones, P. G.; Blaurock, S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 12049.

4. So, C.-W.; Roesky, H. W.; Magull, J.; Oswald, R. B. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 3984.^*†#

   * Selected by Angewandte Chemie as Very Important Paper
   † Reviewed as Highlight in Angewandte Chemie, Weidenbruch, M. Angew.    Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 4241.
   # Selected by Organometallics (Vol 27, No. 4) as Front Cover