Heterometallic complexes with lanthanide and coinage metal centres for CO2 reduction

• Applicant: Dr. Rouven Pfleger
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2022 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 512475913

Anthropogenic climate change is one of the largest contemporary problems. The probability for natural disasters grows with increasing pace. To find solutions, researchers from different fields have to work together. Furthermore, a carbon neutral society needs solutions for the supply of basic chemicals not depending on fossil resources. We propose a project that tackles both the removal of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and the production of small organic molecules with electrochemical measures and interdisciplinary collaboration for optimisation. This utilises a new approach by investigating collaborative effects of electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 by lanthanide-coinage metal coordination compounds. Existing heterometallic complexes will be screened for these properties and with the knowledge gained new compounds will be synthesised. Together with material scientists and theoreticians we want to elaborate a better understanding of the underlying processes and ideally show the applicability towards the end of the project.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Denmark
• Host: Professor Dr. Jesper Bendix