O Overview
Homogeneous catalysis research in our group is focused on understanding how molecular catalysts live and die, and how we can use this knowledge to improve their practical performance. We combine kinetics, spectroscopy, and computations to resolve catalytic mechanisms together with the deactivation pathways that limit catalyst lifetime. This is especially important for earth-abundant catalysts, which are often more susceptible to deactivation compared to their noble-metal counterparts. Our work uses mechanistic insight to optimize catalyst durability and efficiency, helping make base-metal catalysis more practical and enabling new sustainable chemistry.
Yang et al., ACS Catal. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.2c02963
Kulyabin et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202521838
Kalikadien et al., Digital Discovery 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5DD00093A
P Publications
Selected directly from the master publications page; one paper may appear in multiple research areas.
2026
267
B. Wu, Y. Ma, C. Feng, L. Ren, C. Domestici, Y. Wang, T. Hilberath, U. Hanefeld, E.A. Pidko, F. Hollmann, Y. Wang "Engineered alcohol oxidases catalyse transesterification in aqueous media without competing hydrolysis", Nat. Commun. 2026, 17, 2183 Link
2025
259
A.V. Kalikadien, C. Valsecchi, N. J. van der Lem, L. Lefort, E.A. Pidko* "Unveiling the Impact of Ligand Configurations and Structural Fluxionality on Virtual Screening of Transition-Metal Complexes", Digital Discovery 2025, 4, 2033 Link
252
W. Yang, E. Nieuwlands, I.Yu. Chernyshov, G.A. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko* "Concentration-Dependent Thermodynamics of the Inhibitory Paths in Homogeneous Mn(I) Hydrogenation Catalysis", ChemCatChem 2025, 17, e202401237 Link Board Member Highlights
2024
250
A. Sreenithya, A.A. Kolganov, I.W. Ye, M.H. Risansyauqi, E.A. Pidko* "On the Oxidation State of Single-Atom Re/TiO₂ Hydrogenation Catalysts: A Computational Study", ACS Catal. 2024, 14, 18488 Link
248
A.V. Kalikadien, C. Valsecchi, R. van Putten, T. Maes, M. Muuronen, N. Dyubankova, L. Lefort, E.A. Pidko* "Probing Machine Learning Models Based on High-Throughput Experimentation Data for the Discovery of Asymmetric Hydrogenation Catalysts", Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 13618 Link Front Cover
241
A. Bairagi, A. Pereverzev, P. Tinnemans, E.A. Pidko*, J. Roithova "Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction: Monitoring of Catalytically Active, Downgraded, and Upgraded Cobalt Complexes", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 5480 Link
240
A. V. Kalikadien, A. Mirza, A. Najl Hossaini, A. Sreenithya, E.A. Pidko* "Paving the road towards automated homogeneous catalyst design", ChemPlusChem 2024, e202300702 Link Cover Feature
239
H. Makoto, K. Wada, H. Matsuda, E.A. Pidko* "Antioxidant-Driven Activity and Stability Enhancement in Multiphase Bicarbonate Hydrogenation Catalysis with a Ru-PNP Pincer Complex", J. CO₂ Util. 2024, 81, 102718 Link
2023
237
A. A. Kolganov, A. Sreenithya, E.A. Pidko* "Homogeneous Catalysis in Plastic Waste Upcycling: A DFT Study on the Role of Imperfections in Polymer Chains", ACS Catal. 2023, 13, 13310 Link
232
W. Yang, G. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko* "Performance of homogeneous catalysts viewed in dynamics", Chem. Commun. 2023, 59, 1757 Link
2022
230
A. Hashemi, S. Bougueroua, M.P. Gaigeot, E.A. Pidko* "ReNeGate: Reaction Network Graph Theoretical tool for automated mechanistic studies in computational homogeneous catalysis", J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2022, 18, 7470 Link
228
W. Yang, I. Yu. Chernyshov, M. Weber, E.A. Pidko*, G.A. Filonenko "Switching Between Hydrogenation and Olefin Transposition Catalysis via Silencing NH Cooperativity in Mn(I) pincer complexes", ACS Catal. 2022, 12, 10818 Link
227
R. van Putten, N.S. Eyke, L.M. Baumgartner, V.L. Schultz, G.A. Filonenko, K.F. Jensen, E.A. Pidko* "Automation and microfluidics for the efficient, fast, and focused reaction development of asymmetric hydrogenation catalysis", ChemSusChem 2022, 15, e202200333 Link
226
A. Krieger, V. Sinha, G. Li, E.A. Pidko* "Solvent-Assisted Ketone Reduction by a Homogenous Mn-Catalyst", Organometallics 2022, 41, 1829 Link
225
A.S. Tossaint, C. Rebreyend, V. Sinha, M. Weber, S. Canossa, E.A. Pidko*, G.A. Filonenko "Two step activation of Ru‐PN3P pincer catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation", Catal. Sci. Technol. 2022, 12, 2972 Link
224
W. Yang, T.Y. Kalavalapalli, A.M. Krieger, T.A. Khvorost, I.Yu. Chernyshov, M. Weber, E.A. Uslamin, E.A. Pidko*, G.A. Filonenko "Basic Promotors Impact Thermodynamics and Catalyst Speciation in Homogeneous Carbonyl Hydrogenation", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 8129 Link
2021
211
R. van Schendel, W. Yang, E. A. Uslamin, E. A. Pidko* "Utilizing Design of Experiments Approach to Assess Kinetic Parameters for a Mn Homogeneous Hydrogenation Catalyst", ChemCatChem 2021, 13, 4886 Link Front Cover
210
C. Rebreyend, E. Pidko*, G. Filonenko "Homogeneous hydrogenation of saturated bicarbonate slurry to formates using multiphase catalysis", Green Chem. 2021, 23, 8848 Link Front Cover
203
A. M. Krieger, V. Sinha, A. V. Kalikadien, E. A. Pidko* "Metal-ligand cooperative activation of HX (X=H, Br, OR) bond on Mn based pincer complexes", Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2021, 647, 1468 Link Front Cover
197
R. van Putten, G.A. Filonenko, A.M. Krieger, M. Lutz, E.A. Pidko* "Manganese-mediated C-C bond formation: alkoxycarbonylation of organoboranes", Organometallics 2021, 40, 674 Link
192
W. Yang, I. Yu. Chernyshov, R.K.A. van Schendel, M. Weber, C. Müller, G.A. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko* "Robust and Efficient Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds Catalysed by Mixed Donor Mn(I) Pincer Complexes", Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 12 Link
2020
189
A. Krieger, P. Kulyaev, F. Armstrong Hall, D. Sun, E.A. Pidko* "Composition- and Condition-Dependent Kinetics of Homogeneous Ester Hydrogenation by a Mn-Based Catalyst", J. Phys. Chem. C 2020, 124, 26990 Link
177
M. A. Kinzhalov et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes with Acyclic Diaminocarbene Ligands as Chemosensors for Mercury", Inorg. Chem. 2020, 59, 2209 Link
175
P.O. Kulyaev, E.A. Pidko* "Operando modeling of multicomponent homogeneous catalytic solutions: from non-standard free energies to reaction network control", ChemCatChem 2020, 12, 795 Link
2019
171
R. van Putten, J. Benschop, V. J. de Munck, M. Weber, C. Müller, G. A. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko* "Efficient and practical transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by a simple bidentate Mn-NHC complex", ChemCatChem 2019, 11, 5232 Link Cover Feature
166
R. van Putten, G.A. Filonenko, A. Gonzalez de Castro, C. Liu, M. Weber, C Müller, L. Lefort, E.A. Pidko* "Mechanistic complexity of asymmetric transfer hydrogenation with simple Mn-diamine catalysts", Organometallics 2019, 38, 3187 Link
157
W. Zhang, M. Ma, M. Huijbers, G.A. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko, M. van Schie, S. de Boer, B. O. Burek, J. Bloh, W.J.H. van Berkel, W.A. Smith, F. Hollmann "Hydrocarbon synthesis via photoenzymatic decarboxylation of carboxylic acids", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 3116 Link
2018
144
E.V. Khramenkova, M.V. Polynski, A.V. Vinogradov, E.A. Pidko* "Degradation paths of manganese-based MOF materials in a model oxidative environment", Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2018, 20, 20785 Link
139
A. Loibl et al. (incl. E. A. Pidko) "Substituent Effects in Pyridyl-Functionalized Pyrylium Salts, Pyridines and λ³,σ²-Phosphinines", Dalton Trans. 2018, 47, 9355 Link
135
C. Liu, R. van Putten, P.O. Kulayev, G.A. Filonenko, E.A. Pidko* "Computational Insights into the Catalytic Role of the Base Promoters in Ester Hydrogenation with Homogeneous Non-Pincer-Based Mn-P,N Catalyst", J. Catal. 2018, 363, 136 Link
130
G.A. Filonenko, R. van Putten, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Catalytic (de)hydrogenation promoted by non-precious metals – Co, Fe and Mn: recent advances in an emerging field", Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 1459 Link
127
M.H. Habicht et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "2-(Trimethylsilyl)-λ³-Phosphinine: Synthesis, Coordination Chemistry and Reactivity", Chem. Eur. J. 2018, 24, 944 Link
2017
116
R. van Putten, E.A. Uslamin, M. Garbe, C. Liu, A. Gonzalez-de-Castro, M. Lutz, K. Junge, E.J.M. Hensen, M. Beller, L. Lefort, E.A. Pidko* "Non-pincer-type manganese complexes as efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of esters", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 129, 7639 Link Back Cover
2015
91
G.A. Filonenko, M. Joanne B. Aguil, E.N. Schulpen, R. van Putten, J. Wiecko, C. Müller, L. Lefort, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene aminopincer ligands enable high activity in Ru-catalyzed ester hydrogenation", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 7620 Link
89
J. Pritchard, G. A. Filonenko, R. van Putten, E. J. M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis for the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid derivatives: history, advances and future directions", Chem. Soc. Rev. 2015, 44, 3808 Link
87
G.A. Filonenko, D. Smykowski, B.M. Szyja, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO₂ to Formates by Lutidine-Derived Ru-CNC Pincer Complexes", ACS Catal. 2015, 5, 1145 Link
86
D.L.J. Broere et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "Dinuclear palladium complexes with two ligand-centered radicals", Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 5879 Link
2014
83
G.A. Filonenko, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Mechanism of CO₂ Hydrogenation to Formates by Homogeneous Ru-PNP Pincer Catalyst", Catal. Sci. Technol. 2014, 4, 3474 Link
81
A. Loibl, I. de Krom, E.A. Pidko, M. Weber, J. Wiecko, C. Müller "Tuning the electronic effects of aromatic phosphorus heterocycles: An unprecedented phosphinine with significant P(π)-donor properties", Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 8842 Link
80
G.A. Filonenko, E. Cosimi, L. Lefort, M.P. Conley, C. Copéret, M. Lutz, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Lutidine-derived Ru-CNC hydrogenation pincer catalysts with versatile coordination properties", ACS Catal. 2014, 4, 2667 Link
77
G.A. Filonenko, R. van Putten, E.N. Schulpen, E. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "Highly efficient reversible hydrogenation of CO₂ to formates using ruthenium PNP-pincer catalyst", ChemCatChem 2014, 6, 1526 Link Front Cover
2013
69
G.A. Filonenko, M.P. Conley, C. Copéret, M. Lutz, E.J.M. Hensen, E.A. Pidko* "The impact of metal-ligand cooperation in hydrogenation of carbon dioxide catalyzed by ruthenium PNP pincer", ACS Catal. 2013, 3, 2522 Link
64
J. J. M. Weemers et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "Bulky phosphinines: from molecular design to an application in homogeneous catalysis", Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 8991 Link
61
I. de Krom, E.A. Pidko, M. Lutz, C. Müller "Reactions of pyridyl-functionalized, chelating λ³-phosphinines in the coordination environment of Rh(III) and Ir(III)", Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 7523 Link
2011
48
R. Groote et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "Unfolding and mechanochemical scission of supramolecular polymers containing a metal–ligand coordination bond", Macromolecules 2011, 44, 9187 Link
41
J.I. van der Vlugt, E.A. Pidko et al. "Dinuclear copper(I) thiolate complexes with a bridging noninnocent PNP ligand", Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 3850 Link
39
A.C. Carrasco et al. (incl. E.A. Pidko) "Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenylphosphinine", Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 2510 Link
2009
29
L. Bini, E.A. Pidko*, C. Müller, R.A. van Santen, D. Vogt "Lewis acid-controlled regioselectivity in styrene hydrocyanation", Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 8768 Link
2008
23
C. Müller, E.A. Pidko, M. Lutz, A.L. Spek, D. Vogt "Diphosphinine derivatives of terpyridine: a new class of neutral π-accepting PNP-pincer ligands", Chem. Eur. J. 2008, 14, 8803 Link