RUI: Synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic hydroamination activity of chiral, tethered cyclopentadienyl-amide-alkoxide complexes of group IV and V metals

Harvey Mudd College, Claremont CA

Investigators

Abstract

The Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports the research of Adam R. Johnson of the Department of Chemistry at Harvey Mudd College and Katherine A. Kantardjieff of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Fullerton, investigating catalytic hydroamination reactions as highly atom economical methods of synthesizing substituted amines. A hydroamination reactions adds a N-H bond across a C-C multiple bond - these reactions are particularly useful for the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmacologically active molecules. This research project has three specific aims: 1) the synthesis of tethered cyclopentadienyl-amide-alkoxide ligands and their corresponding titanium and tantalum complexes, 2) the crystallographic characterization of the new organometallic complexes and 3) the study of catalytic hydroamination reactions performed with the novel metal complexes. The proposed research will provide undergraduate students at Harvey Mudd College with experience in organic and inorganic synthesis as well as x-ray crystallography. The structure determination work will take place at the W.M. Keck Foundation Center for Molecular Structure at California State University Fullerton.