Since our discovery of the catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at a single molybdenum center, we have embarked on a variety of studies designed to further understand this complex reaction cycle. These include studies of both individual reaction steps and of ligand variations. An important step in the reaction sequence is exchange of ammonia for dinitrogen in neutral molybdenum(III) compounds. We have found that this exchange reaction is first order in dinitrogen and relatively fast (complete in <1 h) at 1 atm of dinitrogen. Variations of the terphenyl substituents in the triamidoamine ligand demonstrate that the original ligand is not unique in its ability to yield successful catalysts. However, complexes that contain sterically less demanding ligands fail to catalyze formation of ammonia from dinitrogen; it is proposed as a consequence of a base-catalyzed decomposition of a diazenido (Mo N NH) intermediate.

Micro-needles and nano-rods of NH₂-Mil-53(Al) have been synthesized via coordination modulation. PXRD analysis has been utilized to determine the orientation of the micro-needles, showing the preferred growth direction to be [001]. Nanoparticles of NH₂-Mil-53(Al) were formed using NaOH as a base.

Highly catalytic 3D printed UiO-66 composite affords ease of use and clean-up for degradation of nerve agent simulant.

NHC-AuNPs prepared via chlorido(1,3-dimethyl-N-Boc-O-methylhistidin-2-ylidene)gold(i), an NHC–Au(i) complex, affords AuNPs containing not just Au(0), but also Au(i).

We describe Janus metal organic framework crystals that are propelled by bubble ejection. The Janus crystals are prepared by selective epitaxial growth of ZIF-67 on ZIF-8. The Janus crystals catalyse the decomposition of H₂O₂ into H₂O and O₂ on the ZIF-67 surface but not on the zinc containing ZIF-8 surface, resulting in propulsion of the Janus crystals.