The Rohde group carries out fundamental research on the synthesis and chemistry of reactive transition metal complexes that is needed to design new synthetic and catalytic methods that utilize abundant and environmentally benign resources. Implementation of such methods in laboratory syntheses offers both environmental and economic advantages and may lead to the development of more sustainable industrial processes. Our interests in multi-electron redox transformations also intersect with chemistry relevant to biological processes and energy conversion.

Specific synthetic targets include i) organometallic complexes that activate small and inert molecules, ii) complexes of late transition metals in high oxidation states, and iii) complexes of redox-active ligands. Combining synthesis, structural analysis and mechanistic studies, the research in our group is multifaceted and offers students broad experience and training.