Research Overview
We are a synthetic chemistry lab with specific research interests in organic chemistry, organometallic catalysis, and synthetic electrochemistry. We seek to develop new reactions and mechanisms that expand both the scope and sustainability of synthetic chemistry and energy systems. Particular emphases of our program include the rational design of transition-metal catalysts and the creative use of electrochemistry to enable the conversion of readily available starting materials into value-added products, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and energy-storing molecules.
Featured Publications
Site-selective electrochemical arene C–H amination
We report here the first electrochemical aromatic C–H amination that utilizes a reductive generation of N-radical cation as amine electrophiles. N-radical cations undergo a radical cation – pi interaction with arenes and subsequent charge-transfer and C–N bond formation to form aryl DABCOniums salts. DABCOnium salts can be converted to diverse aryl piperazines or undergo photocalysis to generate aryl C–C and C–P bonds. This amination reaction is highly selective and has broad arene scope.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, accepted article.