The Organic Synthesis Program is supporting the work of Dr.Donald Burton. Burton, a professor of chemistry at the University of Iowa, is investigating new methods for preparing fluorine-containing organic molecules. The replacement of a C-H bond with a C-F bond dramatically alters the physical, chemical and biological properties of a molecule. The methods for carrying out these replacements have often required specialized equipment, reagents and facilities. Prof. Burton has pioneered, and continues to develop, techniques and reagents that make these replacements accessible to research workers without these specialized facilities. Prof. Burton's research focuses on the development of new reagents, new procedures, and a mechanistic understanding of basic chemical principles that govern these reactions. The program will generally develop new approaches to fluorine-containing ylide intermediates and stable fluorinated organometallic reagents. Specific studies include new approaches to fluoroolefins via ylide intermediates, development of trifluoromethyl copper reagents that can be applied to novel difluoromethylene grafting and fluorocarbon chain homologation protocols, development of fluorinated allene, diene, vinyl and acetylenic reagents, and the general development of new methods for preparing fluorinated heterocyclic molecules.
