On November 14th of 2018, Prof. Thomas Müller of Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg paid
visit to the SKLEOC by the invitation of Prof. Chunming Cui. He delivered a
speech entitled “An Old Hat with New Feathers-Heteroldianions as Precursors for
Unusual Silicon and Germanium Compounds” at the lecture hall of Shixian
Building. The event was hosted by Prof. Chunming Cui.
Prof. Müller introduced
his group’s studies on the reactivities of heterocyclic dianion ligated low
valent silicon and germanium compounds. He gave a thorough view of the process
in obtaining early transition metal complexes with novel bonding. By applying
multiple spectra techniques and theoretical studies, Prof. Müller also deduced
the mechanisms of his reactions. Further, he showcased the existence of single
electro transfer process during the reaction between nucleophilic germanium
compounds and organoboranes, and brought about the concept of frustrated
radical pairs. After the talk, the audience was enthusiastic in having more
discussions with Prof. Müller.
Prof. Thomas Müller was assistant professor at Goethe
University Frankfurt from 1998-2005. He was then associate professor at the
University of Rostock from 2005-2006, and became full professor at Carl von
Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg since 2006. Prof. Müller’s main research fields
include elemental organic chemistry especially of IVA elements, physical
organic chemistry and computational chemistry.
