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John Seed

@john-seed.bsky.social

Research Fellow in the Liddle group at the University of Manchester. Actinide metal-metal bonding, actinide-pnictogen chemistry, and actinide magnetism โ˜ข๏ธโ˜ข๏ธ๐Ÿงฒ

90 Followers  |  103 Following  |  22 Posts  |  Joined: 14.02.2025  |  2.2637

Latest posts by john-seed.bsky.social on Bluesky


Huge congratulations Darren and team!

20.02.2026 08:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Iron-borane catalyzed carbonyl hydroboration and isolation of an iron(I)-ketyl radical - Nature Communications Homogeneous catalytic hydroboration represents a valuable strategy for the synthesis of alcohols but reports which employ iron-based catalysts are somewhat limited. Here, the authors report an iron me...

Our latest paper is out in Nature Comms describing the first Fe(I)-ketyl radical complex. Congratulations to Laura, Ryan, Adam and our collaborator David Robinson from Nottingham Trent.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

19.02.2026 15:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 20    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Crystalline nitrogen chain radical anions - Nature Chemistry The isolation of catenated nitrogen compounds is difficult, in part because these chains can readily lose nitrogen, creating a strong thermodynamic push towards decomposition. Now, a series of molecul...

Over 2.5 years @reecelisterroberts.bsky.social has been working on isolating a range of 4-atom nitrogen chain radical anions! Now published in @natchem.nature.com! @oxfordchemistry.bsky.social @manchester.ac.uk @ukri.org @erc.europa.eu www.nature.com/articles/s41...

10.02.2026 12:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 33    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Congrats Meera and co. This is ace - and beautiful EPR spectra too!

20.02.2026 08:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Very cool work! Congrats

20.02.2026 08:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Matt, Imogen and Mickeyโ€™s paper detailing the synthesis and reactivity of the first neutral Al(I) trimer is out now in @natcomms.nature.com! Check it out here along with @mattdv-t.bsky.socialโ€™s โ€˜behind the paperโ€™ article!

17.02.2026 18:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 25    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Uranocenium โ€“ The bis-[8]annulene Uranium Cation | ChemRxiv Uranocene, [UIV(ฮท8-C8H8)2], is the actinide equivalent to ferrocene. While ferrocene is readily oxidised to the ferrocenium cation, higher oxidation states of uranocene are unknown. Here we report the elusive uranocenium cation, [UV(ฮท8-C8H8)2]+ , and ...

Excited to show our latest preprint โ€œUranocenium โ€“ The bis-[8]annulene Uranium Cationโ€.

Uranocene is oxidised to uranocenium cation both chemically, and electrochemically, with reversibility comparable to ferrocene.

This derives from an unusual electronic structure.

chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10....

12.02.2026 08:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 21    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@natcomms.nature.com

26.11.2025 15:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Isolable f-element diphosphene complexes by phosphinidene group transfer and coupling at uranium - Nature Communications The parent diphosphene molecule is of fundamental interest, but its reactive nature renders it challenging to isolate, and current metal-stabilized derivatives are limited to complexes of p-/d-metals....

Check out our work on the isolation of elusive f-element diphosphene (HPPH) complexes, the first heavier Group 15 analogue of f-element diazenes (HNNH) that were first reported over thirty years ago.

@manchester.ac.uk

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

26.11.2025 15:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@john-seed.bsky.social collected some gorgeous magnetic data - as always! In fact the Tb(III) data suggested a well-isolated paramagnetic pseudo-doublet spin-orbit ground state which has led to some spin-off work so stay tuned!

21.10.2025 08:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Synthesis, Redox Chemistry, and Electronic Structures of Bis-di(silylamido)silane f-Element Complexes We report the synthesis and characterization of pseudo-tetrahedral f-element complexes bearing the sterically demanding bidentate di(silylamido)silane ligand, {Me2Si(NSiiPr3)2}2โ€“ (Me2SiNโ€ Nโ€ ). Two equi...

Y'all wanted some EChem? Check out our contribution in InorgChem @acs.org towards tetravalent lanthanides, with @conradgoodwin.bsky.social, @john-seed.bsky.social, in collaboration with @gen-chem.bsky.social + @peremiro.bsky.social for calculations!

21.10.2025 08:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 15    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Uranium-stibinidiide, -stibinidene, and -stibido multiple bonds and uranium-nitride formation from multimetallic diuranium-distibene-mediated dinitrogen cleavage Nature Communications - Although uranium-nitrogen multiple bonding is well developed, there are far fewer uranium-phosphorus and -arsenic multiple bonds, and none for antimony, even in...

Great collaboration between the Universities of Manchester and Marburg to bring uranium and antimony together. @john-seed.bsky.socialโ€ฌ, โ€ช@unimarburg.bsky.socialโ€ฌ,
Special congratulations to Rebecca, Kevin and Nick for their synthetic work.
rdcu.be/eBcJt

18.08.2025 12:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Huge (!) congratulations to Becky and Jingzhen for some tremendous synthetic chemistry, and for the former's 1st first author publication, and to all authors who helped contribute to this work - especially @haenisch-group.bsky.social at @unimarburg.bsky.social. Please read and enjoy!

15.08.2025 16:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Uranium-stibinidiide, -stibinidene, and -stibido multiple bonds and uranium-nitride formation from multimetallic diuranium-distibene-mediated dinitrogen cleavage - Nature Communications Although uranium-nitrogen multiple bonding is well developed, there are far fewer uranium-phosphorus and -arsenic multiple bonds, and none for antimony, even in spectroscopic scenarios. Here, the auth...

There are no examples of uranium-antimony multiple bonds, even under spectroscopic scenarios. Until now. Check out our work on U-Sb bonds spanning single, double, and pseudo-triple bonding interactions. Out now in @natcomms.nature.com ! www.nature.com/articles/s41...

15.08.2025 16:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Nobelium becomes heaviest element with identified compounds Complexes containing hydroxide, water and dinitrogen ligands detected as researchers probe chemistry on the edge of the actinide series

Complexes containing nobelium were created as part of new research into the chemistry of the actinide series.

15.08.2025 16:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks a lot for the support Dave! ๐Ÿ˜„

17.07.2025 17:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you!

17.07.2025 17:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I think Iโ€™ll be using that analogy from now on. Thanks a lot - glad you like it!

10.07.2025 20:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image

Delighted to have received the @manchester.ac.uk Chemistry department Outstanding Achievement Award for our work on exalted diamagnetism in trithorium superatoms. Hugely grateful to the team of people who contributed to this work and all those who supported yesterday during the award symposium ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

10.07.2025 20:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Magnetic hysteresis up to 73 K in a dysprosium cyclopentadienyl-amide single-molecule magnet Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) based on dysprosocenium cations, [Dy(CpR)2]+ (CpR = substituted cyclopentadienyl), have set record effective energy barriers to magnetic reversal (Ueff) and temperatures...

Jek leads our latest preprint in @chemrxiv.bsky.social with the @nfchilton.bsky.social group on a mixed axial dysprosium amide-cyclopentadienyl single-molecule magnet (SMMs). We find similar high-temperature soft hysteretic properties to dysprosium bis(amide) SMMs.
chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

26.06.2025 18:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 14    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Huge congratulations Dave, Nick, Gemma and team! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅณ

26.06.2025 16:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Soft magnetic hysteresis in a dysprosium amideโ€“alkene complex up to 100 kelvin - Nature A dysprosium amideโ€“alkene complex shows soft magnetic hysteresis loops up to 100โ€‰kelvin, arising from the high charge density of the amide ligands and the structural role of the pendant alkene.

Delighted to announce the publication of our work in @nature.com, in collaboration with @nfchilton.bsky.social's group, on a dysprosium compound with magnetic memory at 100 Kelvin. Congrats to all authors inc. @gemmagransbury.bsky.social, @jeffjefftyjeff.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

25.06.2025 17:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 72    ๐Ÿ” 18    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 7    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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Breaking Bonds at Tin(II): Reductive or Oxidative Addition? Here, the addition of Hโ€“H, Beโ€“Be, Bโ€“B, and Bโ€“H bonds to SnII is studied by experimental and theoretical means. We report the first examples of Bโ€“B and Beโ€“Be bond additions to a main group metal centr...

Breaking bonds at tin(II)! We've had a look at the spectrum of bond addition reactions, from reductive (Be-Be) to oxidative (Cl-Cl), and everything in between (B-B, B-H, H-H)
@angewandtechemie.bsky.social @maxdietz.bsky.social @amelia-swarbrook.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1002/anie...

02.06.2025 19:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 31    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

Good luck with everything Gemma!

30.05.2025 22:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Trithorium superatom confounds with its unexpected and โ€˜mind-blowingโ€™ diamagnetism Nanocluster behaves like a 'super alkali-metal'

The first superatoms made using actinides ever created are adding a new dimension to one of the strangest chemical phenomena.
#ChemSky

06.05.2025 14:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks a lot Lisa. Glad you like it!

17.04.2025 20:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks so much! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

17.04.2025 20:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks Andrew. Absolutely! ๐Ÿค๐Ÿป

17.04.2025 20:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This has been a mountain of work from all authors, and impossible without the contributions of the whole team. Eternally grateful to have such talented, knowledgeable, and collaborative colleagues here in Manchester. Please read and enjoy! @uniofmanchester.bsky.social

11.04.2025 12:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

However, in external applied magnetic fields, these S = 1/2 clusters are diamagnetic (!) as the valence delocalisation enables exalted diamagnetism, which overwhelms the intrinsic paramagnetic character, experimentally evidencing actinide open-shell superatomic character.

11.04.2025 12:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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