A Themed Issue in Honor of Professor Hans-Joachim Knölker: Creator of the Knölker Complex

Dear Colleagues,

Prof. Hans-Joachim Knölker completed his habilitation in 1990 at the University of Hanover on the subject of "Transition Metal-Mediated Syntheses of Heterocycles". In August 1991, he was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Karlsruhe and moved to the Technical University of Dresden in 2001, where he has remained since. In 2003, he co-founded the biotech company Jado-Technologies in Dresden. He has been President of the Saxon Academy of Sciences since January 1, 2024. Having contributed more than 320 scientific articles, reviews and patents, he has also served as Editor-in-Chief of “The Alkaloids” (Academic Press, London).

His main research interests at Dresden University of Technology encompass the development of new methods for the synthesis of biologically active carbazole alkaloids, organometallic chemistry, natural product chemistry and medicinal chemistry (such as the design and synthesis of potential active ingredients against Alzheimer's disease), as well as mechanistic studies on palladium (II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization. Prof. Knölker has also developed new processes such as iron(III)-catalyzed oxidative C–C and N–N coupling of diarylamines, and iron(III)-mediated synthesis of spiroacridines. During his studies on the synthesis of functionalized cyclopentadienone via a [2+2+1] cycloaddition mediated by iron carbonyl precursors, he also synthesized and characterized the first hydrido hydroxycyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl complex. As its ruthenium congener, known as the Schvo complex, the Knölker complex contains both a proton donor site (ligand) and a hydride donor site (metal centre). Since its introduction into hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes by Casey, the Knölker complex has been an ideal candidate for the development of a wide range of hydrogen transfer methodologies, as well as for atom-efficient and low-waste syntheses.

We wish to honor his career and scientific contributions in iron chemistry with a Special Issue in Molecules. All aspects related to the synthesis of iron complexes and their applications in fine chemistry, natural compounds synthesis, hydrogen production, oxidation, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, reduction, and coupling reactions will be covered by this Special Issue. Please submit articles, communications, or perspectives that you wish to be included in this Special Issue. Please notify us at your earliest convenience if you wish to contribute to this endeavor.

Prof. Dr. Jean‐Luc Renaud
Guest Editor

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