Leverhulme grant success for Drs Melen and Newman to investigate metal-free catalysis

The Leverhulme Trust has awarded Dr Rebecca Melen and Dr Paul Newman a new Research Project Grant for a 3-year collaborative venture. The objectives of these awards is to support pioneering and novel research projects. The proposed project entitled “Main Group Catalysis: Chiral Borenium Cations”, will investigate the synthesis of new boron compounds for applications in metal-free catalysis.

Dr Melen’s research program aims to dispel the generally accepted folklore that the main group elements are chemically less versatile than their d-block counterparts. Rebecca added: “This project will explore the use of main group elements in reactions that are traditionally catalysed by transition metals and we are very grateful to the Trust for providing us with the opportunity to pursue this exciting avenue of research.”

Established in 1925, by the Will of William Hesketh Lever, the Leverhulme Trust distributes approximately £80m a year in grants and scholarships and is one of the largest funders of research in the UK over all-subject areas.

Find out more about the research of Dr Rebecca Melen and Dr Paul Newman.