Over the years our research has focused primarily on the development of novel architectures of π-acidic carbenes, which we utilize as ligands for the stabilization of reactive main group species, in materials science applications, and more recently in catalysis. A major thrust of our ongoing efforts is to demonstrate that these particularly electrophilic carbene ligands can enable unique chemical reactivity and catalytic activity when compared to better known nucleophilic carbenes. Additionally, our research seeks to challenge what is currently taught in chemistry textbooks with regards to stability and chemical bonding involving main group p-block elements.

In addition to synthesis, which lies at the heart of all of our research projects, our research also involves extensive use of modern characterization techniques including multinuclear NMR and EPR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemistry and computational methods (DFT, NBO, AIM).

If you are interested in our research, please contact Dr. Hudnall!

Positions available: We are currently accepting highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students, as well as visiting scientists, exchange students, and local high school students.

Postdoctoral positions: We are currently only accepting applications from postdoctoral candidates with their own funding.