Michael L. Neidig

Michael L. Neidig is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of Rochester's Department of Chemistry within the School of Arts & Sciences. He holds a PhD from Stanford University (2007). His research focuses on organometallic chemistry, non-precious metal catalysis, and f-element chemistry, employing advanced spectroscopic techniques like Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and density functional theory (DFT).

His research group investigates iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, iron- and cobalt-catalyzed C-H functionalization, and electronic structure in actinide systems. Notable achievements include isolating the Fe₈Me₁₂^- species, elucidating mechanisms of iron-catalyzed Kumada couplings, and studying electronic structure in iron-bisphosphine complexes.

Research methodologies combine inorganic spectroscopies with computational modeling to understand catalytic mechanisms. Current efforts emphasize rational design of non-precious metal catalysts for organic synthesis and advancing f-element chemistry understanding to transition metal levels.

Publications highlight contributions to iron-catalyzed cross-couplings, ligand effects on metal oxidation states, and hydrogen atom transfer reactions. The Neidig group collaborates with institutions globally, applying interdisciplinary approaches to catalysis and heavy element chemistry.