Dr. Schwartz's research is focused on two areas. First, transition metal complexes will be bound to an oxide support which will then be a ligand environment for them by anchoring to prevent clustering of coordinatively unsaturated species, stabilizing high-oxidation states of the transition metal, and acting as a variable ligand in which basicity and availability of Lewis acid and hydroxylic sites can be adjusted. These complexes will be probed by kinetic, structural and synthetic studies. Second, early transition metal complexes will be studies for use as new synthetic reagents. The focus will be on the catalytic conversion of hydroxy acids into lactones by use of oxotungsten compounds. The preparation of oxide-bound zirconium species and comparisons to soluble analogs will also be carried out. %%% With this award, the Synthetic Organic Program of the Chemistry Division will support the research of Dr. Jeffry Schwartz of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University. The research is in the general area of synthetic methodology and is focused on the areas of transition metal reagents in organic synthesis. The goals of the project are to find metal complexes which can perform specific transformations on organic substrates under mild conditions and in high yield.
