CAREER: New Metal Catalyzed Reactions for Trans-Alkynevinylation

Syracuse University, Syracuse NY

Investigators

Abstract

With this CAREER Award, the Chemical Catalysis Program supports the research of Professor Daniel A. Clark of the Department of Chemistry at Syracuse University. Professor Clark develops new catalytic methods for the silylvinylation of alkynes. The first objective of this research is to utilize ethylene, an abundant chemical feedstock, as a coupling partner to produce highly substituted cyclic compounds that contain a diene. The role of ethylene on the stereochemical outcome of silylvinylation of alkynes is carefully examined. The second objective explores the use of vinylboronates as coupling partners with alkynes to create more complex systems. This approach is likely to eliminate waste streams as no pre-functionalization of starting materials is required. The successful implementation of the proposed research is expected to positively impact the fields of organic chemistry and agrochemistry, pharmaceuticals, and the materials industry. The CAREER award also provides support for educational programs; specifically, the creation of workshops for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educators in the Syracuse and North Syracuse public schools. The goal of Professor Clark's program is to offer access to lecture materials and chemical experiments that can be implemented in a classroom environment by K-12 teachers. Professor Clark's program is in line with the vision of Syracuse University (SU) entitled: Scholarship in Action, a commitment from SU to sustained community engagement.