Organic Transformations with Dihapto-Coordinated Arene Complexes

University Of Virginia Main Campus, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

The focus of this research is to develop synthetic methodology using the dihapto-complexation of transition metals to arenes to generate synthons for the assembly of functionalized polycyclics. The use of rhenium, tungsten and molybdenum will be explored and attempts will be made to make this dearomatization methodology catalytic. With this renewal award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. W. Dean Harman in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Virginia. Professor Harman will focus his work on developing methods for activation and functionalization of aromatic molecules. Selective binding of arenes or polyaromatics to transition metals enhances the reactivity of the aromatic systems towards electrophiles and affords reactive intermediates that can be used for the development of subsequent stereoselective chemistry. Broader impacts are strong in the area of training for both undergraduate and graduate students and the work has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry.