Dr. Clara von Randow

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wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Name

Frau Dr. Clara von Randow

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Kontaktinformationen

Organisationsname

Professur f. Anorganische Chemie II

Professur f. Anorganische Chemie II

Adresse work

Besuchsadresse:

Chemie/Hydrowissenschaften, CHE 451 Bergstraße 66

01069 Dresden

work Tel.

Research Interest

Highly Reducing Systems in Liquid Ammonia

My research interests lie in the field of highly reducing chemistry in liquefied gases, in particular in ammonia. Reducing conditions are achieved via an electride solution either through the addition of alkali metals, or electrochemically. Electride solutions were established by E. Zintl for the reduction of elemental metals and have found wide application in organic syntheses such as the Birch reduction.

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Isolation of reactive intermediates

Working temperatures of −60 °C and the addition of tetraalkylammonium salts has proven a viable path to accessing intermediates from the reaction mixtures in liquid ammonia.

One example is the isolation of an organic salt of the monoanion hydronaphthalide,  a transient species within the Birch-mechanism stemming from the two-fold reduction and protonation of naphthalene. This salt can be synthesised from the reaction of an electride solution with naphthalene and tetramethylammonium chloride.

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Behaviour of chalcogenides in liquid ammonia

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Sulphur reacts in liquid ammonia to form a cascade of coloured solutions and anionic sulphurous and sulphur–nitrogen species. We were recently able to isolate the organic salt NEt₄(S₅NH₂) from a sulphur in ammonia solution – an anionic motif which had previously been postulated but not isolated.

Selenium and tellurium do not dissolve in liquid ammonia. However, increasing the basicity of these reaction mixtures leads to intriguing behaviour which we are currently investigating.
 

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Values
Fundamental research is defined as “the discovery of truth and understanding of nature” (A. T. Waterman, C. I. Barnard, Natl. Sci. Found. 1953, 38–48.). This is best achieved with a diverse and motivated team coming together across physical and societal borders. I aim at fostering a research community rich of respect and collaboration which celebrates diversity, and values scientists independent of their origin, sex, gender, ability, socioeconomic background or religion. I am very passionate about systemic challenges in academia related to equity, as well as physical and mental health in a resilient global scientific community and strive to contribute to the visibility of underrepresented groups in STEM.

Motivated students who are intrigued to work under the strict exclusion of air and moisture, to learn more about the handling of liquefied gases at low temperatures, and to be inspired by the beautiful blue of electride solutions are encouraged to reach out for internships!
 

Curriculum Vitae

Publications