Pushing oxidation-state limits in the f-block.

What we do

Chemistry at the bottom of the periodic table

We are the Goodwin Group in the Department of Chemistry at The University of Manchester, working to further our understanding of the f-block elements — the lanthanides and actinides.

We predominantly focus on non-aqueous chemistry to realise well-defined coordination geometries with which to stabilise highly reactive oxidation states and bonding motifs. By understanding the link between metal coordination environment and electronic structure, we aim to tune the physicochemical properties of f-block ions and direct them toward new chemistry and quantum properties.

Recent work

Newest publications

• One- and Two-Electron Coordinatively-Induced Reduction of N-Heterocycles by Divalent Rare Earth Terphenyl Anilide Complexes

  Chem. Sci. 2026, ASAP. DOI: 10.1039/D6SC03059A. Preprint here: https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.15002040/v1.

• Reactions of a Uranium(III) Complex with N-Heterocycles to Form Diuranium(IV) Ketimides

  Inorg. Chem. 2026, ASAP. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6c01722. Preprint here: https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.15001627/v1.

• Transient Triamidoamine Neptunium(V)–Mono(Imido) Complexes: C–H Activations and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Driven by Effective Nuclear Charge

  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, ASAP. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c00505.

• Magnetic Hysteresis at 31 K in a Four-Coordinate Dysprosium(III) Amide Complex

  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 2942-2953. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c13255. Preprint here: https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-m8q8l.