Overview
Research Interests
Dr. Jordi Bures' main research interest is understanding mechanisms of catalytic reactions through combined use of structural and kinetic studies.
Structural studies include identification and characterisation of off-cycle and on-cycle catalytic intermediates, and examination of deactivated forms of the catalysts. This knowledge enables us to define catalysts resting states, to discover new reaction pathways and to understand deactivation processes. Techniques used include NMR, FT-IR, MS and x-ray crystallography.
Kinetic studies are performed in a continuous way under synthetically relevant conditions. These studies provide information during the whole reaction course under conditions in which the reaction is performed in practice. The techniques required to perform such studies include microcalorimetry, NMR, FT-IR and MS.
Information extracted using kinetic modelling enables accurate understanding of how the catalytic systems work and how optimise them. We believe that this rational approach to the improvement of catalysis is complementary and, in some aspects, much more potent than extensive screening approaches.
THANKS FOR THE FUNDING TO:
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON: Junior Research Fellowship
EUROPEAN UNION: Career Integration Grant, Programme “PEOPLE” of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
THE ROYAL SOCIETY: Research Grant 2014 Round 1.