The focus of this research is the development of direct metal-catalyzed amination reactions. Goals of the present work include probing the mechanism and synthetic scope of Fe-catalyzed amination and the development of enantioselective reactions via the use of chiral iron complexes. The general reactivity of Fe-, Ru- and Al-azodioxide complexes will be explored and selected metal-imido complexes, L2M(=NR)2 (M=Cr,Mo,W) will be evaluated as potential amination agents and catalysts. Investigation of novel metal-promoted allylic aminations using nitroalkanes as aminating agents will also be carried out. With this award, the Synthetic Organic Program is supporting the research of Dr. Kenneth M. Nicholas of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oklahoma. Professor Nicholas will focus his work on developing new methods for the direct introduction of nitrogen-based functional groups into unsaturated carbon containing compounds. Nitrogen containing compounds form the building blocks for the preparation of numerous pharmaceuticals , cationic surfactants and even fabric softeners
