Synthetic and physical chemistry of late transition metal complexes, particularly in connection with their use in small molecule activation and catalysis. This research encompasses elucidating the fundamental structure, bonding and reactivity of transition metal complexes, mechanistic investigations and subsequent catalyst development.

• Activation and transformation of alkanes and nitrous oxide
• Supramolecular inspired encapsulating and interlocking ligand architectures
• Isolation and reaction chemistry of complexes with a low coordination number
• Organometallic chemistry of late transition metals in unusual oxidation states
• Applications of pincer ligands in organometallic chemistry and catalysis

Selected recent publications:

• Oxidative addition of a mechanically entrapped C(sp)–C(sp) bond to a rhodium(I) pincer complex.
  B. Leforestier, M. R. Gyton and A. B. Chaplin*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 23500 – 23504.
• A shape changing tandem Rh(CNC) catalyst: preparation of bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,5,7-trienes from terminal aryl alkynes.
  C. M. Storey, A. Kalpokas, M. R. Gyton, T. Krämer* and A. B. Chaplin*. Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 2051 – 2057Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.
• Rhodium(I) Pincer Complexes of Nitrous Oxide.
  M. R. Gyton, B. Leforestier and A. B. Chaplin*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 15295 – 15298Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.
• Terminal Alkyne Coupling Reactions through a Ring: Mechanistic Insights and Regiochemical Switching.
  C. M. Storey, M. R. Gyton, R. E. Andrew and A. B. Chaplin*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 12003 – 12006Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.
• One-electron Oxidation of [M(P^tBu₃)₂] (M = Pd, Pt): Isolation of Monomeric [Pd(P^tBu₃)₂]⁺ and Redox Promoted C–H Bond Cyclometalation.
  T. Troadec, S.-y. Tan, C. J. Wedge, J. P. Rourke, P. R. Unwin and A. B. Chaplin*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 3754 – 3757Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

[complete publication list]