Research
Our group conducts research in homogeneous catalysis and organotransition metal chemistry. Working at the interface of organic and inorganic chemistry, we use inorganic synthesis, reaction development and mechanistic study to address challenges in synthetic chemistry, materials science and polymerization.
Focus Areas
Develop catalytic reactions significant to synthetic chemistry and probe likely mechanistic pathways
We are pioneering new strategies to design transition metal catalysts and developing reactions for molecular synthesis. Our long-term objective is to exert precise control over catalyst structure and function, guided by a mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes.
Organometallics, 2018, 37, 482-490
ACS Catal., 2017, 7, 5862-5870
Key references:
Becica, J.; Glaze, O.D.; Dobereiner, G.E. Selective isomerization of terminal alkenes to Z-2-alkenes catalyzed by an air-stable molybdenum(0) complex. Organometallics, 2018, 37, 482-490. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.7b00914
Becica, J.; Dobereiner, G.E. Acceleration of Pd-catalyzed amide N-arylations using co-catalytic metal triflates: Substrate scope and mechanistic study. ACS Catalysis, 2017, 7, 5862-5870. DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.7b01317
Weerasiri, K.C.; Chen, D.; Wozniak, D.I.; Dobereiner, G.E. Internal Alkyne Regio- and Chemoselectivity Using a Zwitterionic N-heterocyclic Carbene Gold Catalyst in a Silver-free Alkyne Hydration Reaction. Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, 2016, 358, 4106-4113. DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201601013
Construct approaches to measuring and controlling weak interactions between metal complexes and other species in solution
In the pursuit of more selective and useful catalytic reactions, we are developing rational design approaches to outer sphere (or secondary coordination sphere) effects in organotransition metal chemistry. We study how inorganic complexes in solution interact with the reaction environment, and how these interactions can be exploited to influence catalytic reaction outcomes. The findings from our studies in structure and bonding aid our long-term approach to catalyst development.
Organometallics, 2018, 37, 2376-2385
Organometallics, 2015, 34, 4069-4075
Key references:
Wozniak, D.I.; Sabbers, W.A.; Weerasiri, K.C.; Dinh, L.V.; Quenzer, J.L.; Hicks, A.J.; Dobereiner, G.E. Comparing interactions of a three-coordinate Pd cation with common weakly-coordinating anions. Organometallics, 2018, 37, 2376-2385. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.8b00356
Chen, D.; Gau, M.R.; Dobereiner, G.E. Palladium and Platinum Acyl Complexes and Their Lewis Acid Adducts. Experimental and Computational Study of Thermodynamics and Bonding. Organometallics, 2015, 34, 4069-4075. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.5b00507
Prepare functional polymers and inorganic materials and evaluate properties
Our group’s efforts in our core discipline (organometallic chemistry) inform our exploration of allied areas, including polymerization and materials chemistry. Here we have benefited from strong collaborations to assay the functional capabilities of materials generated in our laboratory.
Macromolecules, 2018, 51, 9323-9332
Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 11290-11292
Key references:
Samples, E.M.; Schuck, J.M.; Joshi, P.B.; Willets, K.A.; Dobereiner, G.E. Synthesis and Properties of N-arylpyrrole-functionalized poly(1-hexene-alt-CO). Macromolecules, 2018, 51, 9323-9332. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01629
Imler, G.H.; Li, X.; Xu, B.; Dobereiner, G.E.; Dai, H.-L.; Rao, Y.; Wayland, B.B. Solid State Transformation of the Crystalline Monohydrate (CH3NH3)PbI3(H2O) to the (CH3NH3)PbI3 Perovskite. Chemical Communications, 2015, 51, 11290-11292. DOI: 10.1039/C5CC03741G