Welcome to Bimetallic Catalysis Lab

Two Metals: More than Double Benefits

Many metalloenzymes have two or more metals in their active catalytic center. Inspired from nature, our research theme at NEIST mainly focuses advantage utility of bimetallic system in the catalysis reactions. Presently we have chosen iron (Fe) in the form of ferrocene and incorporate them in the different existing catalysts. Easy Fe(II/III) redox property brings many advantages in the catalyst.

First Row Transition Metal [Fe^Cu] Catalyst

We designed a catalyst having the first row transition metals. In this context we have prepared a Fe^Cu catalyst for 2+3 azide alkyne cycloaddition (Click reaction). The presence of extended conjugation of ferrocene makes the catalyst so active even in parts per million (ppm) level loading quantitative triazoles are isolated in two hours. Highest 1,40,000 (TON, Turn Over Number) and 70,000 per hour (TOF, Turn Over Frequency) are achieved.

Water Activation: Bimetallic Cooperativity

Artificial photosynthesis is the need of the hour to overcome the energy crisis problem. Towards this goal we have synthesized plenty of [Fe^Ir] catalysts for oxygen production from water at room temperature. Bimetallic participation is observed and metal-metal cooperation are noted. Facile reversible oxidation-reduction of iron in ferrocene became handy to by pass the two electron oxidation i.e. Ir(V) formation from Ir(III). Simple Fe(II)^Ir(III) to Fe(III)^Ir(IV) is sufficient for the water oxidation (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2023, e202300462).

Bimetallic Photocatalysis: Indispensable Second Metal

Design of new photocatalyst is an emerging trend in the chemistry. We have designed few hetero bimetallic photocatalysts and one of the catalyst is showing high E1/2*. In a selective organic reaction we could able show in absence of the second metal did not give any product. High lifetime of the bimetallic photocatalyst helped to achieve excellent yield in the catalytic organic reaction.