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Rebecca Melen

Professor Rebecca Melen

(she/her)

Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Rebecca Melen

Overview

Main Group chemistry has undergone a renaissance in recent years with the realisation that the reactivity of main group elements often closely resembles that of transition metals, with recent studies revealing that main group elements can act as homogenous catalysts for a range of transformations.

The development of main group alternatives to conventional transition metal catalysts is an emerging 'hot topic'. Previous research by Melen pioneered the use of Main-Group complexes in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of amino-boranes for which she received the RSC Dalton Young Researcher Award (2013). Her subsequent studies on heterocyclic synthesis via Main Group Lewis acid promoted organic transformations coupled with her dehydrocoupling studies led to her European Young Researcher Award (2014). Amongst her published research, she has several articles designated as 'hot papers' and/or reflected in Front/Inside Cover artwork. Research projects in the Melen group draw together several different areas of chemistry including organic and inorganic synthesis, main group chemistry, catalysis and implement a range of physical characterisation methods (including multinuclear NMR and X-ray diffraction) supported by computational studies.

Links:

Group website: http://www.melengroup.com

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Articles

Book sections

Research

Research in the Melen group focuses on the use of main group Lewis acids in organic synthesis and catalysis. The research programme includes:

* Main group catalyst design including tuning the steric and electronic effects of the Lewis acid.

* Applications of main group Lewis acids in organic synthesis and catalytic processes.

* Mechanistic studies to determine reaction pathways and the role of the Lewis acid in the reactions using combinations of experimental and theoretical methods.

Lay Summary:

Catalysts are used widely in the industrial setting and provide a lower energy reaction pathway to occur without consumption of the catalyst. To date, many catalysts typically employed are centred on the so called 'precious metals' and, so far, transition metals have dominated homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. But is the behaviour of transition metals so notably different from the main group elements? Our research aims to uncover patterns of reactivity which bridge the apparent divide between transition metal and main group chemistry, by demonstrating that p-block elements can catalyse a variety of industrially significant reactions.

Three examples of current research in the Melen group are described below:

The softer side of boron:

Recent contributions by the Melen group to the field of main group mediated organic transformations include the exploration of Lewis acidic main group compounds as reagents for enabling transformations which are typically promoted or catalysed by heavier d-block metals such as Au(I). This includes the use of Lewis acidic boranes to generate a range of pharmaceutically important heterocycles.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 11995; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 11292; Chem. Eur. J., 2016, 22, 14618.

Beyond BCF:

As main-group chemistry, in particular boron chemistry, has expanded and developed over the past 20 years, one reagent has risen to prominence as well. Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C6F5)3 (commonly known as BCF), has demonstrated extensive applications in a wide variety of reactions, including borylation, hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry, Lewis acid catalysis, and more. However, as main-group chemistry continues to evolve as a field, new reagents are required that go beyond BCF, increasing not only the range of reactions available but also the breadth of compounds attainable. Our research focuses on the development of new borane Lewis acids and advancing novel borane and borocation usage that eclipses that of the stalwart BCF.

Chem. Eur. J., 2017, 23, 10997; Organometallics, 2017, 36, 2381; Inorg. Chem., 2017, 56, 8627; Chem. Eur. J., 2016, 22, 14618.

New Directions in Metal-Free Catalysis:

Recent developments in the Melen group have investigated new directions in metal free catalysis to provide new openings in both the synthesis and applications of main group compounds. This includes enantioselective catalysis using borenium cations, combining FLP hydrogenation with organocatalysis and applications of main group chemistry into flow systems.

ACS Catalysis, 2017, 7, 7748; Adv. Synth. Catal., 2017, 359, 2580; Dalton. Trans., 2016, 45, 15303

Teaching

CH5301 Reactivity and Properties of the Elements and their Compounds

CH3404 Asymmetric Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products

Details of modules can be found in course finder.

Biography

Professional Appointments

2021Current Professor in Inorganic Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK. 

20192021 Reader in Inorganic Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK. 

2017–2019 Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK. 

20152016 Visiting Professorship with Prof. Dr. Martin Oestreich as part of the Clara Immerwahr Award, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany. 

2014–2017 Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK. 

20132014 Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship with Prof. Dr. Lutz H. Gade, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany. 

20122013 Postdoctoral Fellowship with Prof. Douglas W. Stephan, University of Toronto, Canada.  

 

Education and Training

2012 PhD “Catalytic Versus Stoichiometric Dehydrocoupling Using Main Group Metals”, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK. Prof. Dominic S. Wright 

2011 MA, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK. 

2008 MSc, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK. 

2008 BA, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK. 

 

Honours and awards

2022 Philip Leverhulme Prize

2022 Elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales 

2019 Bürgenstock Conference Fellowship

2019 RSC Harrison Meldola Memorial Prize 

2019 Learned Society of Wales, Dillwyn Medal

2018 Thieme Journal Award Winner.  

2016 Fellow Higher Education Academy.  

2016 Clara Immerwahr award 

2013 RSC Dalton Young Researcher Award  

Professional memberships

Learned Society of Wales 

Royal Society of Chemistry

Supervisions

Current supervision

Contact Details

Email MelenR@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29208 79667
Campuses Translational Research Hub, Room 0.54, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Organic chemistry
  • Homogeneous catalysis