First Row Transition Metal Photocatalysts for CO₂ Reduction and Ruthenium Complexes with Anticancer Properties

Bio: Elizabeth T. Papish was born and raised on Long Island, NY. She studied chemistry at Cornell Univ. (BA, 1997) and Columbia Univ. (PhD, 2002). She has taught at Franklin & Marshall College (2002-3), Salisbury Univ. (Asst. Prof. 2003-2007), Drexel Univ. (Asst. Prof. 2007-2012, Assoc. Prof. 2012-2013), and at the Univ. of Alabama (Assoc. Prof. 2013-2019, Full Prof. 2019-present). She has been Director of Graduate Recruiting for UA’s Chemistry and Biochemistry dept. since 2023. Her research group studies bioinorganic and organometallic chemistry with an emphasis on designing new organic ligands for the use of transition metal complexes in energy related catalysis applications and for metal-based therapies for health applications. She is the recipient of an NSF CAREER award (2009) and has been honored with the "Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year Award" at Salisbury Univ. in 2007 and with the "College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award" for excellence in teaching and mentorship from Drexel Univ. in 2012. In 2013, Papish and her student received the "Division of Inorganic Chemistry Award for Undergraduate Research" from the American Chemical Society. In 2026, Papish received the “Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award” from UA based upon her efforts in graduate recruiting, education, and mentorship. Her research is currently supported by NSF with recent past support from NIH.

Abstract: We have had a long-standing interest in designing new catalysts for CO₂ reduction using earth abundant first row metals. We have synthesized novel CNC pincer ligands using NHC and pyridine donor groups for coordination to Co(I) and Ni(II) metal centers. The Ni(II) complexes are noteworthy for self-sensitized CO₂ reduction to produce formate and CO. A long-lived metal centered excited state is believed to contribute to the promising catalytic properties. Further directions include the use of Co(I) complexes for CO₂ hydrogenation reactions. Several synthetic modifications to the metal complexes have been studied including 1) affixing electron donor or withdrawing groups to the pincer, 2) modification of the wingtip groups, 3) modification of the monodentate ligands, and 4) usage of unusual oxidation states including Ni(I). If time permits, a brief overview of our work on light activated ruthenium anticancer compounds will also be presented.