New Approaches to Catalyst Screening and Development

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

Investigators

Abstract

The focus of this research involves the development of in situ enzymatic screening for the rapid evaluation of organic catalysts. The project will strive to better establish the breadth of the technique with respect to both byproduct and product, it will determine the possibility for much higher throughput assays, and it will investigate the possibility of obtaining real time information about catalyst enantioselectivity, as well as relative rate. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. David B. Berkowitz in the Department of Chemistry at the University Nebraska-Lincoln. Professor Berkowitz will focus on developing a new application of enzymes in the synthetic laboratory; namely as sensitive, real time, chiral sensors. There is potential for broader impact of the work in both academia and industry where information rich, rapid catalyst screens are in demand. Also, the project presents an excellent arena for the interdisciplinary training of graduate students.