Miguel I. Gonzalez

The Gonzalez Lab leverages coordination and supramolecular chemistry to realize challenging transformations in fine-chemicals, industrial, and materials synthesis. Major research directions in the group focus on designing systems that confine reactions at the optimal length scale to achieve unprecedented selectivity. Specifically, the lab takes advantage of the inherent preorganization and confinement of molecules in the crystalline state to develop highly selective photochemical transformations. In addition, the lab employs self-assembled monolayers derived from supramolecular ligands to tailor the reactivity and functionality of solid surfaces. Finally, the lab devises robust photochemical methods and multi-functional ligands to achieve precise control over the size, composition, and surface chemistry of metal nanoclusters. These main synthetic thrusts are supported by in situ characterization techniques that provide insight into the chemistry of these systems at the molecular level.