Research Guides

Introduction

Research in the O’Hare group spans both solid state and organometallic chemistry. There is a strong focus on catalysis (both homogeneous and heterogeneous) and material design for ‘real world’ applications.

Solid state chemistry – Layered double hydroxides (LDHs)

The group has studied the synthesis and applications of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) for many years. Recently they have invented a novel method of preparing a new generation of high surface area, large pore volume, hydrocarbon dispersive LDH.  These have now be given the mane Aqueous Miscible Organic (AMO) LDHs.

Surface organometallic chemistry – Characterisation and heterogeneous catalysis

Surface organometallic Chemistry is a challenging field in which molecular chemistry meets classical solid state chemistry.  We have been working on understanding and control of the interaction of organometallic pre-catalysts with solid inorganic surfaces.

Organometallic chemistry – Characterisation and homogeneous catalysis

In 2007 our group developed the synthesis of permethylpentalene (Pn*) and since then it has been investigating the bonding modes possible for Pn* and the chemistry of metal-Pn* complexes.

Solid state chemistry – Layered double hydroxides (LDHs)

1a AMO-LDHs

Tuneable Ultra High Specific Surface Area Mg/Al-CO₃ Layered Double Hydroxides, C. Chen, A.Wangriya, J.-C. Buffet, and D. O’Hare, Dalton Transactions, (2015), 44, 16392-16398

Synthesis and Characterisation of Aqueous Miscible Organic-Layered Double HydroxidesC. Chen, M. Yang, Q. Wang, J-C. Buffet and D. O’Hare, J. Mater Chem., A., (2014), 2 (36), 15102–15110

1b Hierarchical core shell materials

Core-Shell SiO₂@LDHs with Tuneable Size, Composition and Morphology, C. Chen, R. Felton, J-C. Buffet and D. O’Hare, Chemical Communications, (2015), 3462–3465

Core-shell zeolite@aqueous miscible organic-layered double hydroxides, C. Chen, C.F.H. Byles, J.-C.Buffet, N.H. Rees, Y. Wu and D. O’Hare, Chem. Sci., (2016),  7, 1457­–1461.

1c Morphological control (TEM/SEM​)

Preparation of Two Dimensional Layered Double Hydroxides Nanosheets and Their Applications, J. Yu, Q. Wang, L. Sun, Chem. Soc. Rev., (2017), on line.

1d Barrier coatings (H2O, O2, UV, antimicrobial)

Preparation of Two Dimensional Layered Double Hydroxides Nanosheets and Their Applications, J. Yu, Q. Wang, L. Sun, Chem. Soc. Rev., (2017), 46, 5950-5974. 

1e Heterogeneous catalysis

Ethylene Polymerisation using Solid Catalysts Based on Layered Double Hydroxides, J-C. Buffet, Z.R. Turner, R.T. Cooper, and D. O’Hare, Polymer Chem., (2015), 6, 2493-2503.

Surface organometallic chemistry – Characterisation and heterogeneous catalysis

2a Solid surface studies

Controlling the Surface Hydroxyl Concentration of Layered Double Hydroxides, Christopher M.R. Wright, K. Ruengkajorn, A.F.R. Kilpatrick, J.-C. Buffet and D. O’Hare, Inorg Chem., (2017) 56(14), 7842–7850

2b Cage, Nanotube or Black box?​

Synthesis and characterization of solid polymethylaluminoxane “sMAO”; a bifunctional activator and support for slurry-phase ethylene polymerization, A.F.R. Kilpatrick, J.-C. Buffet, S. Sripothongnak, P. Nørby, N.P. Funnell, and D. O’Hare, Chem Mater., (2016), 28 (20), 7444-7450

2c Polyethylene - Popcorn synthesis​

Supported bis(peralkylindenyl) metallocene catalysts for slurry phase ethylene polymerisation, P. Angpanitcharoen, G. Hay, J.-C. Buffet, Z.R. Turner, T.A.Q. Arnold and D. O’Hare, Polyhedron, (2016), 116,  216–222

Polymethylaluminoxane supported zirconocene catalysts for polymerisation of ethylene, T.A.Q. Arnold, Z.R. Turner, J.-C. Buffet and D. O’Hare, J. Organomet. Chem., (2016), 822, 85-90

2d Solid phase frustrated Lewis pairs (sFLPs)​

Hydrogen Cleavage by Solid-Phase Frustrated Lewis Pairs, J.-Y. Xing, J.-C. Buffet, N.H. Rees, P. Nørby, and D. O’Hare, Chem. Comm., (2016), 52, 10478-10481

2e Ethylene oligomerisation

Selective ethylene oligomerisation using supported tungsten mono-imido catalysts,C.M.R. Wright, T.J. Williams, Z.R. Turner, J.-C. Buffet and D. O’Hare, Inorg. Chem. Front., (2017), 4, 1048-1060

Tungsten imido catalysts for selective ethylene dimerisation, C.M.R. Wright, J.-C. Buffet, Z. Turner, and D. O’Hare, ChemComm., (2016), 52, 2850–2853

Organometallic chemistry – Characterisation and homogeneous catalysis

3a Inverted sandwiches

Synthesis and Characterisation of Zirconium-arene Triple Decker Sandwich Complexes, F. R. Kilpatrick, J. C. Green, Z. R. Turner, J.-C. Buffet, and D. O’Hare, Chem Comm., (2017), 53, 12048–12051

3b Metallocene complex synthesis and characterisation​

Titanium and Zirconium Permethylpentalene Complexes, Pn*MCp^RX, as Ethylene Polymerization Catalysts, D.A.X. Fraser, Z.R. Turner, J.-C. Buffet, D. O’Hare, Organometallics, (2016), 35 (16), 2664–2674. 

Zirconium and hafnium permethylpentalene compounds, F.M. Chadwick, R.T. Cooper, D. O’Hare, Organometallics, (2016), 35 (12) 2092-2100

3c Green, Biodegradable polymers

Zirconocene Alkoxides and Aryloxides for the Polymerization of L- and rac-Lactide, J.-C. Buffet, G.R. Harris, J.J. Coward, T.A.Q. Arnold, Z.R. Turner and D. O’Hare, J. Organomet Chem., (2016), 810, 87­–95