Dr M. Rudi Swart obtained his M.Sc from the UFS in 2016 focussing on employing metathesis as alternative methodology to synthesize cinnamates. He then obtained his PhD in 2021, also at the UFS, by further investigation metathesis reactions, with specific focus on the active Ru-catalyst specie, its physical properties, and its behaviour in reactions.

Rudi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State since 2022. His research focuses on Organic Syntheses, Catalysis, NMR spectroscopic elucidation, and Materials Science, with emerging work in Agricultural Chemistry for sustainable food solutions. Prior to becoming a lecturer, Rudi was a Professional Officer in Organic Chemistry from 2012 – 2022. 

Rudi is also the departments NMR administrator.

Naeem, N., Marais, C.,Langner, E.H.G., Swart, M.R., Zafar, M.N., Hawsawi, M.B., Alluhaibi, M.S.,  Sadiq, A.,  Mateyise, N.G.S., van Tonder, J.H., Ugwu, D.I., Conradie, M.M.,  Conradie, J., Mughal, E.U. Molecular insights into chalcone dyes: Synthesis, optical-electrochemical properties, and DFT analysis, Journal of Molecular Structure, 2026, 1351, 144221. doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2025.144221, IF:4.7, Q2.

Odewole, O.A., Swart, M.R., and Erasmus, E. En Route Investigation of Reaction Conditions’ Influence on Cross-Metathesis Yields Employing Grubbs 2^nd Generation–p-Cresol Catalyst Derivative – Part 1 , European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 28, e202400085. doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202400085, IF: 2.5, Q2.

Odewole, O.A., Swart, M.R., and Erasmus, E. Spectroscopic Exploration of Catalyst Dynamics and Electrochemical Properties of Grubbs Second Generation in Different solvent, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 28, e202400356. doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202400356, IF: 2.5, Q2.

Odewole, O.A., Swart, M.R., and Erasmus, E. Unveiling the power of additives: Enhancing Grubbs’ catalyst performance with phenol derivatives, Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2025, 578, 122519-122528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2024.122519. IF: 2.7, Q2.

Dlamini, Z. W.; Vallabhapurapu, S.; Nambooze, J.; Wilhelm, A.; Erasmus, E.; Mogale, R.; Swart, M. R.; Vallabhapurapu, V. S.; Mamba, B.; Setlalentoa, W.; Mahule, T. S.; Pellegrini, V. O. A.; Cronje, S. Polikarpov, I. Chemical and Resistive Switching properties of Elaeodendron buchananii Extract–Carboxymethyl Cellulose Composite: A Potential Active Layer for Biodegradable Memory Devices. Polymers 2024, 16, 2949. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/polym16202949. IF: 4.7, Q1.

Odewole, O.A., Swart, M.R., and Erasmus, E. Metathesis reactions: Effect of additives as co-catalysts to Grubbs’ or Schrock’s catalyst. Tetrahedron 2024, 162, 134105. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2024.134105. IF: 2.1, Q2.

Dlamini, Z.W., Vallabhapurapu, S., Nambooze, J., Wilhelm, A., Erasmus, E., Swart, M.R., Vallabhapurapu, V.S., Mamba, B.B. Extraction, Chemical, and Dual-functional Memory and Threshold Resistive Switching Charac­teristics of Elaeodendron buchananii Extract. Mater. Today Commun. 2023, 37, 107159. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.107159. IF: 3.662, Q2

(Special Issue) Swart, M.R., Marais, C. and Erasmus E. ¹H NMR Analysis of the Metathesis Reaction between 1-Hexene and (E)-Anethole Using Grubbs 2^nd Generation Catalyst: Effect of Reaction Conditions on (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene formation and decomposition. Catalysts 2021, 11, 1483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11121483. IF: 4.146, Q2

(Supplementary Cover) Swart, M.R., Marais, C. and Erasmus E. Comparison of the Spectroscopically Measured Catalyst Transformation and Electrochemical properties of Grubbs’ 1^st and 2^nd Generation Catalysts. ACS Omega 2021, 6, 28642–28653. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c03109. IF:3.512, Q1

Swart, M.R., Twigge, L., Erasmus, E., Marais, C. and Bezuidenhoudt, B.C.B.   Olefin Metathesis, p-Cresol, and the Second Generation Grubbs Catalyst: Fitting the Pieces.  Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2021, 2021, 1752–1762. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202100078. IF:2.524, Q2

Swart, M.R., Bezuidenhoudt, B.C.B., Marais, C. and Erasmus E. NMR Data of a Grubbs 2nd Generation Catalyst p-Cresolate Derivative.  Data in Brief 2021, 314: 106634. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.106634. IF:1.133, Q4

Swart, M.R., Bezuidenhoudt, B.C.B., Marais, C. and Erasmus E. Spectroscopic Characterisation of Grubbs 2nd Generation Catalyst and its p-Cresol Derivatives. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2021, 514, 120001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2020.120001. IF:2.046, Q3

Swart, M.R., Twigge, L., Marais, C. and Bezuidenhoudt, B.C.B.  A Variable Temperature NMR Analysis and Resonance Assignment of the Grubbs Second Generation Catalyst. Polyhedron 2018, 152: 31–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2018.06.024. IF:2.29, Q3

Organic Syntheses, Catalysis, NMR spectroscopic elucidation, Materials Science, and Agricultural Chemistry.