The focus of this research involves the development of synthetic methodology using chiral, bidentate and monodentate ligands to produce chiral proton complexes as catalysts. Bisamidine and beta-diketimine ligands will be produced; new Bronsted acid-catalyzed aza-Darzens reactions, aziridinations and heteroannulations will be studied. An enantioselective aza-Henry reaction, a chiral proton-catalyzed and a series of chiral proton-catalyzed Mannich transformations will be carried out.
With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Jeffrey Johnston in the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University. Dr. Johnston will focus his work on producing methodology using the concept of chiral proton catalysis. The research will examine the coordination chemistry of the proton and will develop mild and selective protic acid-catalyzed organic reactions. The research could have a broader impact on the pharmaceutical and commodity chemicals industries and the project will be an excellent arena for the training of graduate students.
