Harder Research Group
@harder-research.bsky.social
Organometallic Main Group Metal Chemistry, mainly s- and p-block but nowadays also some d- and f-block. @FAU Erlangen
TIRE CHANGE: First Mg(I) complex with a Cp* ligand enables facile ligand exchange. Reaction with RONa gives (BDI)Mg-MgOR and Cp*Na. This paves the way for syntheses of many new asymmetric Mg(I) complexes. @angew_chem onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
October 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
TIRE CHANGE: First Mg(I) complex with a Cp* ligand enables facile ligand exchange. Reaction with RONa gives (BDI)Mg-MgOR and Cp*Na. This paves the way for syntheses of many new asymmetric Mg(I) complexes. @angew_chem onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
REDOX-REACTIVITY of Yb and Sm inverse sandwich benzene complexes. An interesting observation is that, depending on substrate, benzene(4-) can reduce Sm(III) to Sm(II). doi.org/10.1002/chem...
October 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
REDOX-REACTIVITY of Yb and Sm inverse sandwich benzene complexes. An interesting observation is that, depending on substrate, benzene(4-) can reduce Sm(III) to Sm(II). doi.org/10.1002/chem...
CAPTURING CHALCOGENIDES: A soluble Mg(0) metal crown complex reduces and captures chalcogenes. Large anions Se(2-) and Te(2-) need ring enlargement. Highlight: a first molecular s-block metal telluride complex with nearly planar pentacoordinated Te(2-). shorturl.at/n4TUm
September 5, 2025 at 11:08 AM
CAPTURING CHALCOGENIDES: A soluble Mg(0) metal crown complex reduces and captures chalcogenes. Large anions Se(2-) and Te(2-) need ring enlargement. Highlight: a first molecular s-block metal telluride complex with nearly planar pentacoordinated Te(2-). shorturl.at/n4TUm
THIS CHALLENGING SYNTHESIS completes the (BDI)Ae-(benzene)-Ae(BDI) series (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) with Ba. We show trends in stability, structure, bonding and reactivity. Reacting like (BDI)Ba-Ba(BDI) this is the first Ba(I) synthon. shorturl.at/ZdToA @chemicalscience.rsc.org
September 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
THIS CHALLENGING SYNTHESIS completes the (BDI)Ae-(benzene)-Ae(BDI) series (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) with Ba. We show trends in stability, structure, bonding and reactivity. Reacting like (BDI)Ba-Ba(BDI) this is the first Ba(I) synthon. shorturl.at/ZdToA @chemicalscience.rsc.org
P4 REDUCTION generally results in multi-nuclear Zintl anions: P8(2-), P4(2-) or P7(3-). Reaction with a soluble Mg(0) complex gave full reduction to P(3-). Latter anion serves as a triple base, a three-fold nucleophile or 3e-reducing agent. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.10
September 2, 2025 at 10:31 AM
P4 REDUCTION generally results in multi-nuclear Zintl anions: P8(2-), P4(2-) or P7(3-). Reaction with a soluble Mg(0) complex gave full reduction to P(3-). Latter anion serves as a triple base, a three-fold nucleophile or 3e-reducing agent. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.10
A Ca(I) synthon with bridging N2 is key to the synthesis of homometallic Ca peroxide and oxide complexes. In solution, the Ca oxide complex decomposes even at -80 C. It can only be prepared in the solid state. @ChemCommun @RoySocChem shorturl.at/AUoWM
July 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A Ca(I) synthon with bridging N2 is key to the synthesis of homometallic Ca peroxide and oxide complexes. In solution, the Ca oxide complex decomposes even at -80 C. It can only be prepared in the solid state. @ChemCommun @RoySocChem shorturl.at/AUoWM
A LOT OF MONEY FOR CHEAP METALS: Happy that our group has been awarded an ERC-ADVANCED GRANT extending our unique chemistry on main group M(0) chemistry. We thank the many reviewers that trust us continuing to do COOL (OR HOT?) CHEMISTRY. We won’t disappoint you! @FAU #ERCAdG
June 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A LOT OF MONEY FOR CHEAP METALS: Happy that our group has been awarded an ERC-ADVANCED GRANT extending our unique chemistry on main group M(0) chemistry. We thank the many reviewers that trust us continuing to do COOL (OR HOT?) CHEMISTRY. We won’t disappoint you! @FAU #ERCAdG
OPEN SINGLET DIRADICALOID as intermediate in the Ca-mediated reductive coupling of isocyanide finally resulting in a deltate complex. A unique mechanism in group 2 metal mediated reductive C-C coupling @ChemicalScience pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
June 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
OPEN SINGLET DIRADICALOID as intermediate in the Ca-mediated reductive coupling of isocyanide finally resulting in a deltate complex. A unique mechanism in group 2 metal mediated reductive C-C coupling @ChemicalScience pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
LOW-VALENT Si, Ge, Sn, Pb: HOW LOW CAN WE GO???
Hydrocarbon-soluble Mg(0) reduces Si all the way to Si(4-). Unfortunately not stable and decomposing to the HSi(3-) anion. However, Sn(4-) is stable and functions as 4-fold Nu or 8e reducing agent. Preprint: shorturl.at/4mH0O
Hydrocarbon-soluble Mg(0) reduces Si all the way to Si(4-). Unfortunately not stable and decomposing to the HSi(3-) anion. However, Sn(4-) is stable and functions as 4-fold Nu or 8e reducing agent. Preprint: shorturl.at/4mH0O
May 28, 2025 at 9:21 AM
LOW-VALENT Si, Ge, Sn, Pb: HOW LOW CAN WE GO???
Hydrocarbon-soluble Mg(0) reduces Si all the way to Si(4-). Unfortunately not stable and decomposing to the HSi(3-) anion. However, Sn(4-) is stable and functions as 4-fold Nu or 8e reducing agent. Preprint: shorturl.at/4mH0O
Hydrocarbon-soluble Mg(0) reduces Si all the way to Si(4-). Unfortunately not stable and decomposing to the HSi(3-) anion. However, Sn(4-) is stable and functions as 4-fold Nu or 8e reducing agent. Preprint: shorturl.at/4mH0O
One day in the year the Harder lab turns orange. Great Beer Tasting session with 12 beers from Holland, Belgium and France🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
May 24, 2025 at 7:02 AM
One day in the year the Harder lab turns orange. Great Beer Tasting session with 12 beers from Holland, Belgium and France🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Invited lecture at the Technical University Dresden. Great when the host also runs a fantastic brewery! Thank you for a fantastic day and hospitality Jan Weigand and colleagues 👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
May 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Invited lecture at the Technical University Dresden. Great when the host also runs a fantastic brewery! Thank you for a fantastic day and hospitality Jan Weigand and colleagues 👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
K and Sr join forces in N2 reduction: We describe the loooong road to Sr-N2 complexes. So reactive!!! Converts Teflon within minutes in a soluble form of K+F- @AngewChem doi.org/10.1002/anie...
May 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
K and Sr join forces in N2 reduction: We describe the loooong road to Sr-N2 complexes. So reactive!!! Converts Teflon within minutes in a soluble form of K+F- @AngewChem doi.org/10.1002/anie...
TOMORROW: the first Global Inorganic Virtual Seminar with @TheBartLab and @harder_research riceuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
April 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
TOMORROW: the first Global Inorganic Virtual Seminar with @TheBartLab and @harder_research riceuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
CO2 REDUCTION WITH LOW-VALENT CALCIUM: Ca-N2 complexes react like synthons for low-valent Ca(I). We discuss first intermediates and final products in CO2, CS2 and RN=C=NR reduction. @ChemistryEur tinyurl.com/4xy6t6kc
April 28, 2025 at 7:11 AM
CO2 REDUCTION WITH LOW-VALENT CALCIUM: Ca-N2 complexes react like synthons for low-valent Ca(I). We discuss first intermediates and final products in CO2, CS2 and RN=C=NR reduction. @ChemistryEur tinyurl.com/4xy6t6kc
Exploiting the similarity between Ca(II) and Yb(II), first Mg-lanthanide bonding has been realised. The peculiarities of this unique Mg-Yb bond are discussed. Mg(0)-Yb(II)? Mg(I)-Yb(I)? @JACS pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
April 4, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Exploiting the similarity between Ca(II) and Yb(II), first Mg-lanthanide bonding has been realised. The peculiarities of this unique Mg-Yb bond are discussed. Mg(0)-Yb(II)? Mg(I)-Yb(I)? @JACS pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
OXIDATION STATE CONFUSION: Al(I)-Sn(II)? Al(II)-Sn(I)? Al(III)-Sn(0)? The crooked structure of this complex can be explained by a Al-donor Sn-acceptor bond. Details can be found here: chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
March 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
OXIDATION STATE CONFUSION: Al(I)-Sn(II)? Al(II)-Sn(I)? Al(III)-Sn(0)? The crooked structure of this complex can be explained by a Al-donor Sn-acceptor bond. Details can be found here: chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
PREFORMED REDOX-ACTIVE INVERSE CROWNS: Finally out in @naturechemistry.bsky.social Highly selective reduction of N2O, epoxide, sulfur or O2. The ring can also be extended to a larger metalla-crown for stabilization of larger anions like N2O2(2-). Open access: shorturl.at/LZE6Y
February 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
PREFORMED REDOX-ACTIVE INVERSE CROWNS: Finally out in @naturechemistry.bsky.social Highly selective reduction of N2O, epoxide, sulfur or O2. The ring can also be extended to a larger metalla-crown for stabilization of larger anions like N2O2(2-). Open access: shorturl.at/LZE6Y
P4 reduction by low valent Mg(I) complexes and a Ca(I) synthon. The selectivity can be tuned with ligand bulk, metal choice and addition of dibora-anthracene (DBA). Details can be found in Chemical Science: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
February 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
P4 reduction by low valent Mg(I) complexes and a Ca(I) synthon. The selectivity can be tuned with ligand bulk, metal choice and addition of dibora-anthracene (DBA). Details can be found in Chemical Science: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...