Multiple Metal-Carbon Bonds, Metallacycles, and Catalytic Reactions

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

Professor Richard R. Shrock of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry program to develop synthetic and mechanistic aspects of asymmetric olefin metathesis with imido alkylidene complexes of molybdenum and tungsten. Fundamental reactions of related unbridged M=M dinuclear complexes, formed from catalyst decomposition, are also being explored. Mapping energy surfaces for formation and rearrangement of metallacyclobutane intermediates that are central to olefin metathesis reactions is a goal of this program. Somewhat like a square dance partner change, olefin metathesis involves combining two olefins to yield two new olefins in an economically efficient manner. High oxidation state organometallic chemistry of early transition metal complexes is being investigated in order to improve their catalytic capabilities. These reagents are important for catalytic transformations of organic substrates, particularly those needed for the synthesis of chiral pharmaceutical products.