Thomas Braun
The research of the Braun group is interdisciplinary with a focus on the development of novel reaction routes in homogeneous catalysis. The chemical synthesis of model compounds and mechanistic studies contributing to the understanding of catalytic reactions are of fundamental importance. This requires the use of various analytical tools like NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In an additional spin-off is dedicated to heterogeneous catalysis and C-H as well as C-F activation reactions at aluminium fluorides. This includes the identification of surface species as well as model reactions on a molecular level. With a comparable intention to unravel surface chemistry, model reactions for hydrolysis and flurorination reactions at molecular Al and Si compounds are currently developed.
This research is combined with a deep interest in fluorine chemistry. Thus, the Braun group performs research in inorganic and organic fluorine chemistry. This involves again the development of new catalytic reactions, of new fluorinated ligands, but also of new fluorinating reagents. A special focus is on sulfur fluorine chemistry. This imparts the activation of the greenhouse gas SF6, but also the development of new reactivity pathways of reagents such as SF4, SF5Br or SF5Cl. Of high interest is also the development of reactions to convert green-house gases into fluorinated building blocks, which might useful for materials and pharmaceuticals.