On October 7, 2026, Prof. Marinella Mazzanti from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) visited the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering at Peking University and gave an academic lecture entitled “Expanding f-block Chemistry with Siloxides.”

    Prof. Mazzanti has long been engaged in the coordination chemistry of f-block elements, with particular interests in redox chemistry, multimetallic systems, and small-molecule activation. She joined EPFL in 2014 and established the Group of Coordination Chemistry. Her research has contributed to the development of f-element chemistry in unusual oxidation states and multimetallic systems.

    In her lecture, Prof. Mazzanti introduced the use of siloxide ligands in expanding f-block chemistry. She discussed how ligand design can control the coordination environment and electronic structure of f-block metal centers, stabilize unusual oxidation states, and enable new redox chemistry, multimetallic reactivity, and small-molecule activation. Representative studies from her group highlighted the important role of siloxide ligands in accessing new structures and reactivity of lanthanide and actinide complexes.

    We sincerely appreciate Prof. Mazzanti for her visit, inspiring lecture, and fruitful discussions!