Exploring metal ion cooperativity in binuclear transition metal sites

In the current project we aim at the exploration of the reactivity of the binuclear divalent transition metal ion (TMI) sites (TMI = Fe, Co, Mn, Ni) stabilized into the zeolitic matrices as inorganic analogues of the bimetallic in enzymes. Binuclear divalent transition metal structure in zeolites will be used for N2O and O2 activation resulting in the formation of highly active oxygen species, α- oxygens ([TMI4+=O]2+). α- Oxygens stabilized on binuclear centres will be further tested in selective oxidations of light hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, ethylene, and propylene) to explore their ability to activate inert C-H bonds will be applied for oxidation both saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. The catalytic activity of zeolites with binuclear metal sites will be compared with activity of monometallic systems. The planed studies will combine experiments and theoretical approach employing comparison of real systems in zeolite matrices and enzyme centres mimics (modelled by porphyrin moiety).