Prof. C.M. Che　　　支志明教授

B.Sc., Ph.D. H.K.;
Member of Chinese Academy of Science (China);
Dr. Hui Wai Haan Chair of Chemistry

Office:

Recent studies revealed that platinum(II), gold(I) and copper(I) complexes possess long-lived and emissive electronic excited states which can mediate atom transfer and multi-electron transfer reactions and exciplex formation processes. Of particular interest is the observation of metal-solvent/anion exciplex emissions from d¹⁰ metal complexes. With Pt(II) systems, we can perform C-H bond activation and charge separation processes through irradiation with UV-visible light. Current research aims include the design of luminescent metal complexes for selective recognition of biomolecules and multi-electron transfer reactions. We are studying organic triplet emissions that are switched on through metal ion coordination. Applications of phosphorescent metal-organic compounds in organic optoelectronics are under active investigation.

Organic Oxidations

We have studied the oxidation chemistry of ruthenium- and iron-oxo complexes for organic oxidations. With sterically bulky ligands, we have developed ruthenium-oxo catalysts for selective epoxidation of alkenes and stereoselective oxidation of steroids. Our current research is to develop new metal catalysts for organic oxidations by hydrogen peroxide or dioxygen. The design of ruthenium complexes covalently attached to dendritic substituents and water-soluble polymers will be pursued to achieve stereoselective oxidation in aqueous media. We are also studying the oxidation chemistry of high-valent iron complexes with oligopyridine ligands.

Metal-Nitrogen Multiple Bonds

The proposed research involves the elucidation of the electronic factors required for and reactivities of high-valent metal-imido and -nitrido and low valent metal-nitrene complexes. High-valent ruthenium, manganese and iron-imido complexes with different auxiliary ligands are targeted and their reactivities towards organic substrates are studied. New Rh₂(II,II) catalysts for catalytic amidation of C-H bonds are designed.

Metal-Carbon Multiple Bonds. Materials Science and Chemical Catalysis

We are studying the synthesis, spectroscopic properties and reactivities of highly reactive metal-carbon multiple bonded complexes. Our objective is to develop new methods for carbenoid transfer reactions that can be used for natural product synthesis and protein modification. We are also probing the electronic structures of M-(C=C-R-)_n and M=(C)_n=CR₂ by spectroscopic methods and ab inito molecular orbital calculations.

1. Z. Mao, J.S. Huang, C.M. Che, N. Zhu, S.K.Y. Leung, Z.Y. Zhou, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 4562.
2. A.L.R. Vellaisamy, Y.G. Zhi, Z.X. Xu, S.C. Yu, P.W.H. Chan, C.M. Che, Adv. Mater., 2005, 17, 1258.
3. W.P. Yip, W.Y. Yu, N. Zhu, C.M. Che, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 14239.
4. C.Y. Wong, C.M. Che, M.C.W. Chan, J. Han, K.H. Leung, D.L. Phillips, K.Y. Wong, N. Zhu, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 13997.
5. S.S.Y. Chiu, M.F.Y. Ng, C.M. Che, Chem. Eur. J., 2005, 11, 1739.
6. J.L. Zhang, C.M. Che, Chem. Eur. J., 2005, 11, 3899.
7. J. Xie, J.S. Huang, N. Zhu, Z.Y. Zhou, C.M. Che, Chem. Eur. J., 2005, 11, 2405.
8. D.L. Ma, T.Y.T. Shum, F. Zhang, C.M. Che, M. Yang, Chem. Commun., 2005, 4675.
9. H.F. Xiang, S.C. Chan, K.K.Y. Wu, C.M. Che, P.T. Lai, Chem. Commun., 2005, 1408.
10. Y. Liu, V.K.W. Wong, B.C.B. Ko, M.K. Wong, C.M. Che, Org. Lett., 2005, 7, 1561.
11. W.K. Chan, M.K. Wong, C.M. Che, J. Org. Chem., 2005, 70, 4226.