BrainMap

Mr. Adrian-Alexandru Somesan

Lect. Dr. Eng.

Lecturer - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Researcher | Teaching staff

Web of Science ResearcherID: G-7055-2018

Expertise & keywords

Organopnicogen (antimony, bismuth) alkoxides and related compounds – from fundamental molecular design to applied catalysis Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2651 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~ccsoom/organometallic/pce2651.html

Abstract:

The present proposal is focused on the organometallic chemistry of heavy pnicogens (Pn = Sb, Bi) of high interest for their valuable potential in catalysis. The compounds envisaged are neutral or cationic, well defined molecular and/or cluster species from the less explored class of alkoxides and completely unexplored classes of related oxo ligands - boryloxides, siloxides and germyloxides. Our research objectives are focused on (i) preparation of molecular organopnicogen(III) alkoxides, including chiral ones, enough stable to be investigated both in solution and in solid state; (ii) preparation of first boryloxide, siloxide and germyloxide analogues; (iii) evaluation of the tetrel nature on the reactivity of Pn–O bond in the Pn–O–Tet unit (Tet = C, Si, Ge); (iv) preparation of monoorganopnicogen(alkoxo) cations stabilized through intramolecular coordination; (v) studies regarding the potential of the new organopnicogen(III) species with oxo ligands in catalysis, including C–H activation, and exploration of their active role in reversible CO2 fixation/activation.

Novel organometallic alkoxides of low-valent heavy group 14 elements (Sn, Pb) and their potential use in catalysis and materials science Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0976 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~ccsoom/organometallic/pd0976.html

Abstract:

The main goal of this project is to develop new organometallic alkoxides and siloxides with heavy group 14 elements (Sn, Pb) in low oxidation states. The new organometallic species will be investigated both in solution and in solid-state and their catalytic behavior will be studied.

In order to obtain such type of complexes the organic ligands containing oxygen atom/atoms in the pendant arm will be synthesized following standard protocols.

The first category of target complexes comprises diaryl tin(II) and lead(II) species with organic pendant-arm ligands having at least one oxygen atom in the side arm or bulky organic fragments able to stabilize the low-valent species.

There are two standard routes to generate organotin(II) or organolead(II) alkoxides: (a) starting from an organometallic halide via a salt metathesis reaction with the appropriate potassium or sodium alkoxide (no precedent in the literature data) or (b) using an organometallic amide precursor in a reaction with an alcohol / silanol with facile elimination of hexamethyldisilazane.

Based on the main goal of this project and as a combination of the research topics developed during my PhD studies, the following specific objectives (O) will be developed:

O1. Access to homoleptic stannylenes and plumbylenes supported by oxygen-containing pendant-arm ligands.

O2. Access to heteroleptic organometallic lead(II) and tin(II) halides and/or amides.

O3. Heteroleptic organotin(II) and organolead(II) alkoxides and siloxides.

O4. Investigation of the reactivity, catalytic properties and potential use in materials science of the novel complexes.

The results expected to be obtain within the proposed project will represent a forward step in understanding the reactivity of organoSn/Pb species towards small molecules (e.g. NH3, CO, CO2), but not only. The resulting complexes may ease access to new classes of heavy group 14 complexes and even to new catalytic systems.

Functionalized hierachical structures on graphene exhibiting magnetic, adsorption and catalytic properties Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0088 2018 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://www.chimie.unibuc.ro/cercetare/anorganica/PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0088/PCCF_M%20Andruh_2022.pdf

Abstract:

The present research proposal aims to develop a series of directions which are less or non-explored to date in the chemistry of graphene. Its objectives rely on the experience of the four participants in organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, molecular magnetism and catalysis. The project will stimulate not only the enhancement of the value of previously synthesized compounds by the partners, but also the development of an original chemistry. The hierarchical organization of organometallic – classical transition metal complexes on graphene surface is a step forward in materials science. The design of 3-D frameworks incorporating graphene is original and opens interesting perspectives for applications. The grafting of magnetic and luminescent complexes on graphene could bring an important added value in molecular magnetism. The catalytic processes to be investigated are carefully selected, in order to address important problems in organic synthesis, environmental protection and energy. The project will focus on the following major objectives: (i) design of networks by covalent connections between the decorated graphene sheets; (ii) design of graphene-based hybrid materials with appropriate organometallic/metalloid units as ligands for transition metals; (iii) single molecule magnets and luminescent molecules grafted on graphene; (iv) functionalization of graphene with macrocycles, cryptands and rotaxanes for organocatalytic reactions; (v) development of multifunctional catalysts for controlled cascade reactions; (v) applications in catalysis (the valorization of the CO2 emissions; the hydrogenation of nitro-alkenes and mixtures of acetylene-ethylene; C-C and C-N coupling reactions) and gas sorption. A special attention in these studies will be addressed to the investigation of the catalytic mechanisms.

Polyfluorinated m-terphenyl substituents in gold, antimony and bismuth organometallic chemistry Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-0906 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~ccsoom/organometallic/te0906.html

Abstract:

The aim of the project is the use of the polyfluorinated substituents with m-terphenyl backbone in the organometallic chemistry of gold, antimony and bismuth. Until now, for these elements, in the literature were reported only compounds with m-terphenyl groups with classical design. The use of polyfluorinated m-terphenyl substituents in the organometallic chemistry is a recent research field, practically unexplored. The variety of the existing polyfluorinated m-terphenyl substituents is limited as well. Taking into account these prerequisites, the main objectives of the project are: i) development of a general method for the synthesis of polyfluorinated organic compounds with m-terphenyl backbone; ii) synthesis, structural characterization and assessment of the catalytic activity of some organometallic compounds of gold, antimony and bismuth with polyfluorinated substituents with m-terphenyl backbone. The target organometallic compounds can be used as models for the understanding of intramolecular noncovalent interactions and in the same time could present potential applications in homogenous catalysis.

DESIGN OF ORGANIC SPACERS FOR CONSTRUCTING METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs) – TOWARDS A BETTER CONTROL OF THE POROUS ARCHITECTURE AND ACTIVE CATALYTIC SITES Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0050 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: University of Bucharest

Project partners: University of Bucharest (RO); University of Bucharest (RO); Babes Bolyai University (RO); Babes Bolyai University (RO)

Affiliation: Babes Bolyai University (RO)

Project website: http://www.chimie.unibuc.ro/cercetare/anorganica/PCCE_M%20Andruh.pdf

Abstract:

The project aims to obtain a new generation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using novel families of made-by-design spacers (Cyclophane and cyclophane-like spacers with pre-formed cavities; C3-symmetry cryptand-based ligands; Tetrahedral synthons; Organometallic spacers featuring robust metal-carbon bonds, e. g. Organometallic halides, with appropriate organic groups attached to the metal centre to provide stability of the organometallic unit and/or potential to develop 3D architectures. The efforts will be concentrated towards compounds with the metal in lower oxidation state bearing a lone pair of electrons and thus higher reactivity). The construction of MOFs using organometallic tectons is a field largely unexplored. A special emphasis will be given to the post-synthesis processing of the MOFs (removal of solvent and weakly coordinated ligands; functionalization of selected MOFs by nanoconfinement with metal nanoparticles and functionalization for generation of acidic and basic sites). The sorption of various gases (H2, CO2, C2H2, etc.) as well the catalytic properties of the newly synthesized MOFs will be investigated. Enantioselective organic reactions catalyzed by chiral MOFs will be studied as well. In this scope MOFs functionalized with acid and base functions will be investigated in the asymmetric aldol reaction between representative ketones with various aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free conditions. The luminescence properties of some MOFs as well as the influence of the host molecules on the luminescence (especially for those containing lanthanide cations) will be investigated. The ability of the new MOFs for decontamination processes will be tested - more specifically, MOFs will be used as adsorbents for the molecules resulted from the degradation of pharmaceutical compounds via either liquid phase catalytic oxidation or plasma.

Hypervalent organotin(IV) compounds containing iminic ligands that exhibit intra- and intermolecular interaction abilities Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0033 2011 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~ccsoom/organometallic/te033.html

Abstract:

The present project proposes the use of organic iminic ligands, with one or more C=N bonds, that exhibit intra- and intermolecular interaction abilities in the chemistry of hypervalent organotin(IV) compounds; a research project in a field of fundamental research, with potential for applications.

The proposed research activities will be focused on: (i) the design and characterization of new organotin(IV) monomers, polymers, heterocycles and chiral compounds containing iminic ligands; (ii) the synthesis and characterization of water-soluble, stable organometallic species (carbonates, nitrates, phosphates, etc.); (iii) the study of the influence of the nature of the organic groups attached to the metal on the oligomerisation degree; (iv) the study of the chemical reactivity of these new compounds (e.g. the possibility to obtain metal-metal bonds by extraction of the chalcogen, or their ability to coordinate to transition metals, their use in transmetallation reactions); (v) the use of new organic ligands containing one or more C=N bonds with controlled design which are able to provide protection for metal centres in homo- and heterometallic species with Sn-Sn or Sn-M bond (m = metalloid od main group metal, transition metal) through intramolecular N-Sn interactions, in addition to steric strains.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects