Adrian Research Lab — Inorganic Synthesis

Designing coordination complexes at the frontier of inorganic chemistry

We synthesize, characterize, and study transition metal coordination compounds with tailored ligand environments — advancing fundamental understanding and opening doors to biological and materials applications.

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110+
Students mentored at UIW
150+
Novel complexes synthesized
107
Refereed publications & presentations
Latest updates

News & Highlights

Recent milestones, student achievements, and discoveries from the Adrian Research Lab.

Glend Berrocal
Student achievement Spring 2025

Celebrating Student Success: Glend Berrocal Admitted to the UIW Master of Biomedical Sciences Program

We are proud to celebrate Glend Berrocal, whose hard work and dedication in the Adrian Research Lab helped pave the way to his acceptance into the UIW Master of Biomedical Sciences Program. Congratulations, Glend!

Adrian Research Lab · UIW
The Welch Foundation
Welch Summer Program Summer 2025

Five Students Join the Lab Through the Welch Summer Research Program

The Adrian Research Lab welcomes Nicholas Furman, Grace Lee, Stefina Cortese, Muqtadir Musharaf, and Truc Hoang as participants in the UIW Welch Summer Research Program — a five-week paid research experience funded by The Welch Foundation. The students are gaining hands-on experience in inorganic synthesis and coordination chemistry.

Adrian Research Lab · UIW
High school students in the lab
Outreach Summer 2025

High School Students Join the Lab for Research Experience in Palladium Chemistry

The Adrian Research Lab is hosting four high school researchers this summer: Stormy Vasquez and Oscar Hernandez from Thomas Edison High School, and Jayden Marquez and Destiny Palacios from Highlands High School. Over two weeks, the students are working on the synthesis of novel palladium phenanthroline complexes, gaining firsthand experience in inorganic chemistry research.

Adrian Research Lab · UIW
What we do

Research focus areas

Our group focuses on the rational design and synthesis of transition metal coordination complexes, with emphasis on structure–property relationships and ligand effects on electronic and spectroscopic behavior.

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Coordination complex synthesis

Design and preparation of novel Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, Pt, and Pd complexes with polypyridyl, phenanthroline, and mixed-donor ligand environments. Systematic variation of ancillary and secondary ligands to tune complex properties.

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Structural characterization

X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, and NMR spectroscopy are used to fully characterize new complexes and correlate structure with physical and chemical properties.

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Biological activity studies

Exploring the interaction of coordination complexes with biomolecules. Select complexes are evaluated for DNA binding, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity in collaboration with biology partners.

Our people

Meet the team

The Adrian Research Lab brings together undergraduate students and researchers passionate about inorganic chemistry. We welcome motivated undergraduates and collaborators interested in coordination chemistry and inorganic synthesis.

Dr. Rafael Adrian
Principal Investigator
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RA
Dr. Rafael Adrian
Principal Investigator
Specialist in transition metal coordination chemistry and inorganic synthesis. Leads the group’s research direction and mentors students at all levels.
Scholarly work

Selected publications

Recent contributions from the Adrian Research Lab. Please contact us for reprints or collaboration inquiries.

Highest impact factor journals
2007
Dinuclear palladium(II) complexes with bridging amidate ligands
Adrian, R. A., Zhu, S., Powell, D.R., Broker, G. A., Tiekink, E.R.T., Walmsley, J. A.
Dalton Transactions, 4399–4404 IF 3.3
2007
Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination of monomeric cis-Pd(2,2'-bipyridine)(NO₃)₂
Adrian, R. A., Zhu, S., Klausmeyer, K. K., & Walmsley, J. A.
Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 1527–1530 IF 5.55
2008
Palladium(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination
Adrian, R. A., Broker, G. A., Tiekink, E. R. T., & Walmsley, J. A.
Inorganica Chimica Acta, 1261–1266 IF 3.11
2004
Synthesis and characterization of new bi- and tri-nuclear Mo carbonyl compounds obtained by ligand exchange reactions of [Et₄N]₃[Mo₃(CO)₉(OMe)₃]
Adrian, R. A., Yaklin, M. M., & Klausmeyer, K. K.
Organometallics, 23, 1352–1358 IF 3.8
Recent publications (2020–2024)
2020
Chlorido(4'-chloro-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-κ³N,N',N'')(trifluoromethanesulfonato-κO)zinc(II) acetonitrile monosolvate
Adrian, R. A., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 5(9), x2901292
2020
(4′-Chloro-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine-κ³N,N′,N′′)bis(nitrato-κO)zinc(II)
Adrian, R. A., Canales, D., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 5(10), x201344
2020
catena-Poly[[bis(acetonitrile-κN)(4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine-κ²N,N′)(trifluoromethanesulfonato-κO)copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate]]
Adrian, R. A., Hernandez, D. R., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 5(10), x201407
2021
Chlorido[1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane-κ²P,P′](isonicotinamide-κN)palladium(II) nitrate acetonitrile monosolvate
Adrian, R. A., Lagemann, B. J., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 6, x211171
2021
Di-μ-chlorido-bis[(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-κ³N,N',N'')copper(II)] bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
Adrian, R. A., Duarte, J. J., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 6, x211096
2021
Bis(isonicotinamide-κN)silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate acetonitrile disolvate
Adrian, R. A., Ibarra, S. J., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 6, x211073
2022
Diacetonitrile(2,2'-bipyridine-κ²N,N')palladium(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
Adrian, R. A., Gutierrez, M. C., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 7, x221151
2022
Dichlorido(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-κ²N,N')zinc(II) acetonitrile monosolvate
Adrian, R. A., Rios, J. J., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 7, x221149
2022
Bis(4'-chloro-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-κ³N,N',N'')zinc(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
Adrian, R. A., Ibarra, S. J., & Arman, H. D.
IUCrData, 7, x221096
2024
(2,2'-Bipyridine-κ²N,N')(4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine-κ²N,N')palladium(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
Vargas, B. B., Arman, H. D., & Adrian, R. A.
IUCrData, 9, x240109 New
2024
Aquabis(2,2'-bipyridine-κ²N,N')(isonicotinamide-κN)ruthenium(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
Faubert, L., Arman, H. D., & Adrian, R. A.
IUCrData, 9, x240114 New
2024
Bis[2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine-κ³N,N′,N′′]nickel(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) diethyl ether monosolvate
Ruiz, S. E., Arman, H. D., & Adrian, R. A.
IUCrData, 9, x240088 New
2024
Dichlorido(4,7-dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline-κ²N,N')zinc(II)
Rose, N. P., Arman, H. D., & Adrian, R. A.
IUCrData, 9, x240037 New
Get in touch

Contact the lab

Whether you are a prospective student, a collaborator, or simply curious about our research — we would love to hear from you. Fill out the form or reach us directly using the information below.

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Location University of the Incarnate Word
AT&T Science Center 440
San Antonio, Texas 78209
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Email adrian@uiwtx.edu
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Opportunities We welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students interested in inorganic synthesis and coordination chemistry.

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