The foci of this research involve the invention of catalytic, enantioselective reactions of enoxysilane nucleophiles under catalysis by chiral Lewis base-activated Lewis acids, and the structural and mechanistic investigation of the reactions catalyzed by chiral Lewis bases.
With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Scott E. Denmark in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Professor Denmark will focus his research on the crossed aldol reaction of aldehydes, one of the most challenging of the carbonyl addition reactions and the chiral Lewis base activation of germanium tetrachloride will also be pursued in this context. The project presents an excellent setting for the training of graduate students and postdoctoral workers. Further, the research has the potential for broader impact in the pharmaceutical industry.
