Quinton Bruch

The research in our group will tackle the development of organometallic tools to exert greater control over catalysis for the sustainable production of molecular fuels and small molecules. In one area, our efforts will focus on understanding how catalysts containing multiple reactive sites can be structured to control the activation of strong chemical bonds. In a related vein, we will develop modular ligand platforms that are responsive to external stimuli in the secondary coordination sphere and study how they can control catalyst selectivity. Finally, we will employ electrochemical tools to interrogate the outcomes of electrosynthetic reactions and create general parameters that can be used to better predict reactivity in electrocatalytic transformations.

In each project, we will use a mixture of synthetic, physical, and analytical chemistry to create a detailed understanding of the underlying phenomena driving catalyst activity and selectivity. In turn, we will use these insights to guide catalyst design, reaction discovery, and reaction optimization.

Metal–Ligand Role Reversal: Hydride-Transfer Catalysis by a Functional Phosphorus Ligand with a Spectator Metal. Bruch, Q. J.; Tanushi, A.; Müller, P.; Radosevich, A. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 21443-21447

Mechanisms of Electrochemical N₂ Splitting by a Molybdenum Pincer Complex. Bruch, Q. J.; Malakar, S.; Goldman, A. S.; Miller, A. J. M. Inorg. Chem.2022, 61, 2307-2318

Temperature and Solvent Effects on H₂ Splitting and Hydricity: Ramifications on CO₂ Hydrogenation by a Rhenium Pincer Catalyst. Hu, J.;^‡ Bruch, Q. J.;^‡ Miller, A. J. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2021, 143, 945–954

Resources for Improving Safety Culture, Training, and Awareness in the Academic Laboratory. Bruch, Q. J.; Butler, S. K.; Tonks, I. A.; Miller, A. J. M. Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry III Volume I. 2021

Considering Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis via Bimetallic Dinitrogen Cleavage. Bruch, Q. J.;^‡ Connor, G. P.; ^‡ McMillion, N. D.; ^‡ Goldman, A. S.; Hasanayn, F.; Holland, P. L.; Miller, A. J. M. ACS Catalysis. 2020, 10, 10826–10846

Dinitrogen Reduction to Ammonium at Rhenium Utilizing Light and Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer. Bruch, Q. J.; Connor, G. P.; Chen, C-H.; Holland, P. L.; Mayer, J. M.; Hasanayn, F.; Miller, A. J. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2019, 141, 20198–20208

Full Publication List

NIH Ruth L. Kirchstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow 2021 ‒ 2023

ACS DCHAS Graduate Student Safety Leadership Award 2022

NSF Graduate Research Fellow 2016 ‒ 2021