Event

Overcoming Fundamental Challenges in Organic Chemistry Through Methods Development Across Length Scales

Abstract: In this talk, we will address two fundamental challenges in organic chemistry. The first of these is regioselective ring-opening of epoxides using aluminum salen-cobalt tetracarbonyl catalysts. These bimetallic catalysts were shown to promote (a) the isomerization of 2,3-disubstituted epoxides to ketones with excellent regioselectivities, even for unbiased epoxides, and (b) the carbonylation of isobutylene oxide to pivalolactone, which requires the catalyst to override the inherent substrate bias through a combination of steric bulk and a cation-π interaction. In the second half of the talk, an open-vial and additive-free method for oxygen-tolerant radical polymerization is described. High light intensity, a large volume-to-surface-area ratio, and high viscosity are all critical parameters for achieving well-controlled polymerizations with classic “living” characteristics, such as low dispersities, linear molecular weight growth with conversion, and block copolymer formation.