Catalytic Synthesis via C-C Cleavage

University Of Kansas Center For Research Inc, Lawrence KS

Investigators

Abstract

With this award, the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division is funding Professor Jon A. Tunge of the University of Kansas to develop strategies to access reactive intermediates from common carbon-carbon bonds and utilize those reactive intermediates to address challenges in synthesis. The broader impacts of the work include developing environmentally friendly catalytic synthesis. Outreach programs include providing organic chemistry flash cards on Instagram and recruiting underrepresented students through a visitation weekend. The visitation weekend educates prospective students on ongoing chemistry at the University of Kansas and trains the students on best practices for applying to graduate schools. One research focus is on catalytically accessing reactive nucleophiles and organometallics from inexpensive carboxylic acids via decarboxylation. Current methods typically access related reactive intermediates through formation of stoichiometric organometallics under highly basic conditions or using high energy reduced metals. The decarboxylative couplings developed are more environmentally benign than classic methods and are more applicable in synthesis due to the mild reaction conditions. Professor Tunge is also developing deacylative couplings that directly employ ketones in cross-coupling reactions.