Prof Adrian Chaplin

Dr Adrian Chaplin

Professor of Chemistry
Synthesis and Catalysis Cluster Lead

a.b.chaplin@warwick.ac.uk
+44 (0)2476 1 51765
Chaplin GroupLink opens in a new window

About Me

Biography

Professor; University of Warwick, UK (08/2023 - present).
Royal Society University Research Fellow, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and then Reader; University of Warwick, UK (2011 - 2023).
EPSRC funded postdoctoral research assistant; WillisLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window and WellerLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window research groups, University of Oxford, UK (2009 - 2011).
R. J. P. Williams Junior Research Fellow; Wadham College, Oxford, UK (2009 - 2011) .
EPSRC funded postdoctoral research assistant; WellerLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window research group, University of Oxford, UK (2007 - 2009).
Docteur ès Sciences (PhD); DysonLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window research group, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland (2007).
BSc (Hons); Massey University, New Zealand (2002).

Recognition

2023 RSC Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Prize [press releaseLink opens in a new window].
2015 RSC Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize [press releaseLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window]
2014 ERC Starting Grant [press releaseLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window].
2011 Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Research interests

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.

Key lines of investigation:

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

Publications

Selected recent publications:

Stability and C–H Bond Activation Reactions of Palladium(I) and Platinum(I) Metalloradicals: Carbon-to-Metal H-Atom Transfer and an Organometallic Radical Rebound Mechanism.
T. Krämer,* M. R. Gyton, I. Bustos, M. J. G. Sinclair, S.-y. Tan, C. J. Wedge, S. A. Macgregor and A. B. Chaplin*. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 14087 – 14100Link opens in a new window
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 – 23504Link opens in a new window
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 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 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 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 window

[complete publication list]

Teaching and supervision

Adrian lectures on CH164Link opens in a new window (atoms and molecules), CH3F0Link opens in a new window (advanced inorganic chemistry) and CH403Link opens in a new window (synthetic chemistry II, metallo-organic). He is a tutor for CH164Link opens in a new window, CH166Link opens in a new window and CH267Link opens in a new window.

Past and present group members and their accomplishments are detailed on our webpagesLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. We are always interested to hear from talented and motivated scientists. If you are interested in joining the team, please get in touch.