RESEARCH

The Carsch Research Group at The University of Texas at Austin merges principles of synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry, organometallic catalysis, and chemical engineering to manipulate the electronic structures and reactivity of coordinatively unsaturated metal ions in both molecular complexes and extended porous materials. These reactive intermediates are extensively characterized through spectroscopic means and leveraged to advance catalysis, chemical separations, and material processability. Our research particularly emphasizes the design of transition metal complexes with atypical electron counts and coordination environments to probe their capabilities in small-molecule activation and nontraditional separation mechanisms.

Our current research interests fall broadly into four separate categories:

Metalloenzyme Mimicry with High-Fidelity Models

Metalloenzymes offer compelling inspiration to conduct challenging chemical transformations. Our research focuses on high-fidelity models of radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes/alkylcobalamin enzymes (e.g., TokK), which enable selective C(sp³)–H alkylation. Of particular excitement from this enzyme is the opportunity to homologate simple alkanes, include opportunities for the elaboration of methane to ethane. We are further interested in emulating the carbon-based primary coordination sphere of FeMoco, toward small molecule activation with relatively oxidized species.

Unusual Electronic Structures

Using bespoke ligand scaffolds with ample steric protection, we aim to construct molecules of nontraditional electronic structures, toward establish new frontiers in coordination chemistry. Our research focuses on the 3d transition metals with unusually low coordination numbers.

Enhanced Processability of Sorbents

While solid microporous materials have emerged as leading candidates for a wide range of gas separation and storage applications, their structural fragility and powder-like nature limit their practical utility. Our research focuses on the design of sorbents with enhanced processability, including metallomesogenic chemisorption, microporous metallopolymers, and high-performance mixed-matrix membranes. Select targeted separations include oxygen removal from air and the capture and functionalization of carbon dioxide.

Unusual Mechanisms of Gas Separations and Storage

Inspired by the reactivity of small molecules mediated by molecular catalysts, we aim to translate the design principles of organometallic chemistry into the realm of selective adsorption. The extensive molecular literature offers a robust foundation to guide the development of alkane-selective adsorbents, multi-gas binding platforms for small molecules such as hydrogen, and new sorbents capable of isotope separations under ambient conditions.