Que began his independent research career at
Cornell University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1977.[4] He then moved back to the University of Minnesota in 1983 where he currently is a Regents Professor.[5][14]
Que has published over 450 research manuscripts and 7 patents. He has presented almost 300 invited lectures and mentored almost 50 doctoral students. His inorganic chemistry research group at the University of Minnesota focuses on iron chemistry relevant to biocatalysis, in an attempt to better understand oxygen activation mechanisms of nonheme iron enzymes. His group is also working towards designing functional models for iron enzymes and capturing, observing, and categorizing highly active metal-based intermediates. He is also working on creating bio-inspired oxidation catalysts for green chemistry applications. For his contributions to the field of inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, Que received the American Chemical Society's 2008 Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic Chemistry and 2017 Award in Inorganic Chemistry.
Research
Bioinspired catalysis
Que has been studying the behaviors of
high-valent iron-oxo species in relation to their ability of hydroxylation. Previous high-valent iron-oxo species have been noted and studied by observing [(Por•)Fe(IV)=O]+ in heme systems. However, it is yet to be established that a high-valent state could be accessed without a nonheme ligand environment. Que and his group studied various nonheme iron based complexes and through elaborate mechanistic work proved that Fe(V)=O species can indeed exist without the supporting heme ligand.
Nonheme iron oxygenases
One of Que’s focuses is on the activation of
dioxygen species in biological systems through non-heme iron active sites. More specifically, one of Que’s focuses is on
homoprotocatechuate (HPCA) 2,3-dioxygenase, which mediates the electron transfer between
catechol substrates and O2 to form a [M(II)(semiquinone)superoxo] intermediate.[17] Non-heme iron active sites, including those involving Mn(II) and Co(II), have proven to be equally potent as heme iron active sites with comparable or greater KMO2 and kcat.[18] By exploring nonheme iron
oxygenases, Que hopes to optimize the first steps in the industrial production of
methane gas, which would yield enormous energy savings for industry.
High-valent iron-oxos
Que has worked on synthesizing oxoiron(IV) complexes. In 2003, Que reported the crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization of a low spin (S = 1) Fe(IV)=O.[19] The first crystallographic example of a high spin (S = 2) Fe(IV)=O was achieved in 2009,[20] and in 2011, Que proved that the ligand used in the previous study could also support a tricationic cyanoiron(IV) complex.[21]