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Senior Scientist - Solid State and Coordination Chemistry

Dr. David van Gerven

As Senior Scientist at the Chair of Solid-State and Coordination Chemistry (Prof. Wickleder), his research focuses on the synthesis of new compounds under strongly oxidizing conditions, the structure elucidation and spectroscopic characterization of unusual anions and Lewis-acidic systems, as well as the investigation of luminescent properties. For characterization, in situ crystallization techniques (OHCD) are employed. In teaching, he is involved in experimental lectures, courses in the Master's program, and the supervision of research internships – and engages in science communication reaching as far as the Cologne Children's University.

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Overview

Overview

Overview

Contact

Dr. David van Gerven

Senior Scientist

contact form

email

david.vangerven(at)uni-koeln(dot)de

phone

+49 221 470 76409

fax

+49 221 470 5083

address

Institute of Inorganic and Material Chemistry
Greinstr. 6, Office 405
50939 Cologne

Links

ORCID
Google Scholar
Office at UoC Maps
Instagram: @chemieamdom

Main research areas

Synthesis

Asbest-like sulfur trioxide crystals in a 500 mL glass flask.

New compounds are synthesized under strongly oxidizing reaction conditions, including sulfur trioxide (SO₃) as a reaction medium. The reagents employed require careful handling due to their aggressive nature, while simultaneously providing access to previously unknown compounds. The focus lies on unusual anions and Lewis-acidic systems that become accessible under these conditions and are of great interest from both a structural and spectroscopic perspective.

Structure Elucidation

Optical heating and crystallization device (OHCD) for in situ crystallization and structural analysis.

X-ray diffraction, in situ crystallization techniques (OHCD) and spectroscopic methods enable comprehensive characterization of newly synthesized compounds with respect to their structure and properties. The optical heating and crystallization device (OHCD) allows targeted crystallization directly on the single-crystal diffractometer, so that sensitive or difficult-to-handle compounds can be structurally characterized without elaborate sample preparation.

Luminescent Compounds

Luminescent sample under light excitation with red emission.

Selected compound classes exhibit interesting optical properties, which are systematically investigated in the course of synthesizing and characterizing new materials. Luminescence analysis adds an application-relevant perspective to the methodological repertoire, particularly in the field of functional solids and coordination compounds. This provides a comprehensive picture of the physical and chemical properties of newly synthesized substances.

Last updated: June 2026

Publications

2026

  1. L. Körtgen, D. van Gerven, S. S. Sebastian, T. Kleinöder, U. Ruschewitz
    Crystal Structure of the Ammine Complex [Ca(C2H)2(NH3)4]
    Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2026, 652, e202500199.
    10.1002/zaac.202500199
  2. K. Eppers, C. Sander, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Brominated Methanesulfonates: Characterization of K[Br3CSO3]·H2O, K2[Br2C(SO3)2]·H2O and K3[BrC(SO3)3]·H2O
    ChemistryOpen 2026, 15, e202500455.
    10.1002/open.202500455

2025

  1. S. Sutorius, J. Heinen, D. van Gerven, J. Bruns, E. Strub, M. S. Wickleder
    (NH4)2[Tc2O2(S2O7)4]: An Unexpected Technetium(V)-Sulfate From the Reaction of (NH4)(TcO4) With SO3
    Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 31, e202502493.
    10.1002/chem.202502493
  2. T. Lapić, D. van Gerven, R. F. Maier, M. S. Wickleder
    In situ crystallization of the tetrahydrate of pentafluoro-benzenesulfonic acid, featuring the Eigen ion (H9O4)+
    Z. Kristallogr. Cryst. Mater. 2025, 240, 295–299.
    10.1515/zkri-2025-0037
  3. J. Langwald, R. M. Gomila, D. van Gerven, A. Frontera, M. S. Wickleder
    Introducing (inter-)halogen polysulfates – a study on the influence of halogen bonding on weakly coordinating anions
    Dalton Trans. 2025, 54, 16095–16105.
    10.1039/D5DT02088C

2024

  1. T. Rennebaum, D. van Gerven, S. S. Sebastian, M. S. Wickleder
    Hydrazine sulfonic acid, NH3NH(SO3), the bigger sibling of sulfamic acid
    Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202302526.
    10.1002/chem.202302526
  2. T. Rennebaum, D. van Gerven, F. C. Herwede, M. S. Wickleder
    N2H4 Derived Sulfonic Acids: Hydrazine Disulfonate, [(SO3)HNNH(SO3)]2−, and Hydrazine Iso-disulfonate, [H2NN(SO3)2]2−
    Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202402337.
    10.1002/chem.202402337
  3. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Fast ein Jubiläum: 99 Jahre Element 75
    Nachr. Chem. 2024, 72, 12–14.
    10.1002/nadc.20244142912
  4. C. K. Amadi, T. Karimpour, M. Jafari, Z. Peng, D. van Gerven, V. Brune, F. Hartl, M. Siaj, S. Mathur
    Synthesis and theoretical study of a mixed-ligand indium(III) complex for fabrication of β-In2S3 thin films via chemical vapor deposition
    Dalton Trans. 2024, 53, 9874–9886.
    10.1039/D4DT00394B
  5. D. van Gerven, A. Mertens, K. Eppers, J. Nickelsen, M. S. Wickleder
    In situ Crystallization of Methanesulfonic Acid, CH3SO3H, and Serendipitous Single Crystal Formation of its Anhydride, (CH3)2S2O5
    Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2024, 650, e202400019.
    10.1002/zaac.202400019
  6. A. Mertens, K. Eppers, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    The Molecular Structures of Lithium Trichlate, Li[Cl3CSO3]·2H2O, and Lithium Tribrate, Li[Br3CSO3]·2H2O
    Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2024, 27, e202400060.
    10.1002/ejic.202400060
  7. A. Mertens, D. van Gerven, H. Lee, M. S. Wickleder
    Synthesis and Characterization of the Trichlates [N(CH3)4][Cl3CSO3], [NH4][Cl3CSO3], and the Dichlate [NH4][Cl2CHSO3]
    Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2024, 27, e202300535.
    10.1002/ejic.202300535
  8. A. Mertens, K. Eppers, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Triflate's bigger brother: The unprecedented tribrate anion, [Br3CSO3]−
    Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202303617.
    10.1002/chem.202303617

2023

  1. F. Hartl, V. Brune, S. Lüggert, C. Hegemann, D. van Gerven, M. Wilhelm, S. Ji, H. Choi, S. Mathur
    Direct Synthesis of Two-Dimensional SnSe and SnSe2 through Molecular Scale Preorganization
    Inorg. Chem. 2023, 62, 6274–6287.
    10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c04083
  2. A. E. L. Cammiade, L. Straub, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder, U. Ruschewitz
    Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopic Properties of Luminescent Coordination Polymers Based on the 2,5-Dimethoxyterephthalate Linker
    Chemistry 2023, 5, 965–977.
    10.3390/chemistry5020065
  3. A. Mertens, D. van Gerven, I. Kunert, M. S. Wickleder
    Trichlates, an Unattended Class of Compounds: Characterization of Cl3CSO2Cl, and (H5O2)[Cl3CSO3]
    Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29, e202302128.
    10.1002/chem.202302128
  4. T. Kasperowicz, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    The Cyanido-Sulfate Anion [SO3CN]−
    Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29, e202301761.
    10.1002/chem.202301761

2022

  1. V. Zimmermann, L. V. Schindler, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    The reaction of NH4Cl with SO3: Two modifications of (NH4)[SO3Cl]
    Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2022, 648, e202200238.
    10.1002/zaac.202200238
  2. D. van Gerven, S. Sutorius, J. Bruns, M. S. Wickleder
    Stabilizing the Homopolycation (I4)2+ with a Hexasulfate in (I4)[S6O19] and a Borosulfate in (I4)[B(S2O7)2]2
    ChemistryOpen 2022, 11, e202200122.
    10.1002/open.202200122
  3. S. Sutorius, D. van Gerven, S. Olthof, B. Rasche, J. Bruns
    Polycations Stabilised by Borosulfates: [Au3Cl4][B(S2O7)2] and the One-Dimensional Metal [Au2Cl4][B(S2O7)2](SO3)
    Chem. Eur. J. 2022, 28, e202200004.
    10.1002/chem.202200004
  4. T. Rennebaum, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    The Unprecedented [S4N2O10]2− Anion in the Molecular Gold Complexes [Au2Br2(S4N2O10)2] and [Au2Cl2(S4N2O10)2](S2O5Cl2)
    Chem. Eur. J. 2022, 28, e202202171.
    10.1002/chem.202202171
  5. J. Nickelsen, D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    In situ single crystal growth of tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate, (Me3SiO)3PO
    Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2022, 648, e202200184.
    10.1002/zaac.202200184

2020

  1. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    S6N2O15 — A Nitrogen-Poor Sulfur Nitride Oxide, and the Anhydride of Nitrido-tris-Sulfuric Acid
    Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 17169–17171.
    10.1002/anie.202005056
  2. C. Stoll, D. van Gerven, H. Huppertz
    Serendipitous formation of K15NaSn5F36
    Z. Naturforsch. B 2020, 75, 309–315.
    10.1515/znb-2019-0201

2016

  1. J. Bruns, D. van Gerven, T. Klüner, M. S. Wickleder
    Palladium(IV) in an Oxoanionic Environment: The XeF2 Assisted Synthesis of [Pd(S2O7)3]2−
    Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 8121–8124.
    10.1002/anie.201601767

2014

  1. F. Brockmeyer, D. van Gerven, W. Saak, J. Martens
    Two Sequential Multicomponent Reactions: Synthesis of Thiazolidin-4-yl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles under Mild Conditions
    Synthesis 2014, 46, 1603–1612.
    10.1055/s-0033-1341043

Talks and Posters

  1. D. van Gerven, J. Nickelsen, M. S. Wickleder
    Reactivity of Trimethylsilyl Esters in Sulfur Trioxide
    GDCh Conference on Inorganic Chemistry, Munich, 16.09. – 18.09.2024
    Poster
  2. D. van Gerven, J. Nickelsen, M. S. Wickleder
    Crystallizing Trimethylsilyl Derivatives of Mineral Acids with a CO2-Laser: Crystal Structures of (Me3SiO)3PO and (Me3SiO)NO2
    21st Conference on Inorganic Chemistry, Marburg, 2022
    Poster
  3. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Über Polyiodkationen und andere positive Überraschungen
    48. Hirschegg-Festkörperchemiesymposium, Hirschegg (Österreich), 20.06. – 23.06.2019
    Vortrag
  4. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    XeF2 als Schlüssel zur Synthese von [M(S2O7)3]2− der Platinmetalle (M = Pd, Os, Ir)
    18. Fluortag, Schmitten, 2018
    Vortrag
  5. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Rotes Palladiumdisulfat
    47. Hirschegg-Festkörperchemiesymposium, Hirschegg (Österreich), 31.05. – 03.06.2018
    Vortrag
  6. D. van Gerven, M. S. Wickleder
    Tris-(disulfato)-metallate
    45. Hirschegg-Festkörperchemiesymposium, Hirschegg (Österreich), 26.05. – 28.05.2016
    Vortrag

Teaching

Teaching involvement spans all levels of study: from introductory lectures for first-year students through experimental lab courses and English-language master's courses to specialized offerings for doctoral researchers. Courses are taught both independently and in collaboration with other members of the department.

Courses

Undergraduate

  • General Chemistry, Lecture (MN-C-AlC, MN-BC-AC)
  • General Chemistry, Seminar and Tutorial
  • General Chemistry, Practical Course with Seminar
  • General Chemistry for Teacher Training Students, Lecture and Tutorial (GG-Che-B01)
  • Chemistry of the Elements for Chemistry Students, Lecture (MN-C-AC, GG-Che-B02)
  • Synthesis Practical Course (MN-C-SY)

Master and Doctoral Level

  • Advanced Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, Lecture (MN-C-A-AC)
  • Aspects of Transition Metal Chemistry with Emphasis on Technetium, Lecture and Tutorial (MN-C-RF)
  • Workshop: X-ray Structure Analysis: From Crystal to Structure (2025)

Supervision

  • Supervision of research internships and theses (Bachelor and Master)
  • Development and maintenance of digital learning materials on the university platform ILIAS

Science Communication

  • Christmas Lecture in Chemistry (2025)
  • Lecture as part of the Cologne Children's University: The Elements of Life (2026)
  • Our Air – A Fascinating Gas Mixture!, Cologne Children's University (2022–2025)
  • Experiments from experimental lectures on Instagram: @chemieamdom

Current teaching schedule on KLIPS2

Academic CV

since 2020

Senior Scientist, University of Cologne

Wickleder Group, Institute for Inorganic and Materials Chemistry

2020

Doctoral Degree, University of Cologne

SO₃ as a Reaction Medium: Synthesis and Characterization of New Sulfate Derivatives (KUPS)

2015

Master's Degree, University of Oldenburg

Novel (Disulfato)-metallates: Synthesis, Structure and Properties

2013

Bachelor's Degree, University of Oldenburg, Prof. Martens Group

Sequential Multicomponent and Aza-Wittig Reactions for the Synthesis of Novel Heterocycles

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