Superacids and Superbases

The Chemistry of Superacids and Superbases and its Hi-Tech Applications

Group leader: Ivo Leito, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu

Our core competence is design, computation, synthesis, measurement of strength and applications of strong and superstrong acids and bases. Superacids and superbases are the key components of catalytic materials and their salts usually have very good chemical and electrochemical stability and are promising as components of electrochemical (EC) power sources.

We have designed and prepared close to 100 novel superacids and superbases (incl novel families, such as guanidinophosphazenes [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, DOI 10.1002/anie.201503345], superacids by a generalized “battery-cell” design principle [J. Org. Chem. 2011, 76, 391-395], etc). These compounds have been characterized using extensive acidity/basicity scales in solvents and in the gas phase. Principles of design of superacids and superbases have been worked out.

This competence has led to success in numerous related areas including by other groups. Novel superacid anions have been used in EC power sources, and in design of ionic liquid electrolytes for EC power sources. Other areas include absolute pH measurement; design and studies of molecular receptors/sensors; elucidation of the principles governing electrospray ionization; design of a novel electrospray ion source [Estonian Patent P201100030], etc.

The competence has been repeatedly successfully put into practice via industrial collaboration (Sumitomo, Pfizer, Neste, Molycorp, Skeleton Technologies, VKG, etc). The group runs the UT Testing Centre – a contract research unit at UT Institute of Chemistry, with 14 years of experience in industrial cooperation.

The group has received considerable funding over the years, the most important being the Institutional funding “The Chemistry of Superacids and Superbases and its Hi-Tech Applications” (2014-2019), Targeted financing projects “The Chemistry of Superacids and Superbases and its Applications” (2008-2013, PI I. Koppel) and “Development and applications of measurement methods of chemical and physical parameters of molecules and molecular systems” (2008-2013, PI I. Leito).

The group participates in the Estonian Research Infrastructures Roadmap object “Estonian Centre of Analytical Chemistry” and in a number of international projects and networks (EURAMET, METEFNET, etc).