This project will develop new oxidative cross coupling reactions for the synthesis of biaryl molecules and will test a mechanistic hypothesis for this novel process. The primary goal of the work is the development of a model that explains the observed phenomena and can be used to predict the ideal reaction conditions for a given aryl substrate. Systematic competition and kinetic studies will be used to probe the reaction mechanism, and the information gleaned from these experiments will be used to develop new oxidative coupling reactions.
With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Professor Brenton DeBoef of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Rhode Island. Professor DeBoef's research efforts are focused on the invention of new chemical reactions that cleave strong carbon-hydrogen bonds and form new carbon-carbon bonds in a single step. These new processes may streamline the synthesis of high-value molecules such as drugs, herbicides, and dyes for organic light emitting diodes. Additionally these novel reactions have less environmental impact than many of the existing technologies. Dr. DeBoef is also developing new research-oriented curricula involving multi-step chemical synthesis and green chemistry. Undergraduate and graduate students are being trained for careers as synthetic chemists in the global marketplace, and will benefit from the International Chemistry Program that Dr. DeBoef is developing at the University of Rhode Island.
