The main focus of our research is the development of practical transition-metal catalyzed transformations that address problems encountered in organic synthesis.
The goal is to develop transformations that will be used in the pharmaceutical industry for synthesis of medicinally relevant compounds.
Our approach to reaction development involves the synthesis of transition-metal complexes, systematic study of their reactivity, and detailed exploration of reaction mechanisms.
Finally, we are interested in using new transformations in the synthesis of natural products.
Our interest in both practical and fundamental aspects of reaction development provides an opportunity for students in the group to get training and expertise in various aspects of
organometallic, physical organic, and synthetic organic chemistry.
The projects in the following areas are currently being pursued in our lab:
- Differential dihydrofunctionalization of terminal alkynes
- Regio- and stereoselective formation of tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes
- New metal-catalyzed transformations of organoboron compounds