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Redox-active Ligands and Electron Transfer
Reversible one-electron-transfer at complexes of the heavy main group element bismuth are difficult to realize due to phenomena such as over-reduction and the unselective dissociation of ligands and ligand fragments. In this context, the Lichtenberg Group aims at the development of redox-active ligands, which stabilize radical species and allow access to desired potential ranges. As a result of these research efforts, it was demonstrated for the first time that the ligand family of aminotroponiminates (ATIs) belongs to the growing class of redox-active ligands, enabling an unprecedented reversible one-electron-transfer at a mononuclear bismuth complex. These results reveal intriguing potential applications in electron-transfer-catalysis and electro-catalysis.