Date of Thesis

Spring 2020

Description

Negishi cross-coupling reactions involve a transition metal-catalyzed coupling of an organohalide and an organozinc to form a new carbon-carbon bond, which is a significant accomplishment in synthetic organic chemistry. We have been optimizing a palladium catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction between a β-halo α,β-unsaturated carbonyl and a monoorganozinc to form a new carbon-carbon bond at the β-position.

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyls are useful in the synthesis of human-made materials and can be used as precursors to all-carbon stereocenters (i.e., quaternary stereocenters). Although quaternary stereocenters are challenging to synthesize, they comprise important features in the structures of many natural products and pharmaceuticals. Several palladium catalysts and phosphine ligands were surveyed to identify optimal cross-coupling conditions. The choice of palladium catalyst seems to have minimal effect on efficiency or yield. However, certain electron-rich, bulky ligands, such as RuPhos, seem to inhibit undesirable pathways, allowing for higher yields and efficiency. Further work includes examination of substrate scope with the current optimized conditions through varying both the organozinc and the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl.

Keywords

synthesis, reaction optimization, cross-coupling, Negishi, organozinc, α, β-Unsaturated carbonyl

Access Type

Honors Thesis (Bucknell Access Only)

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Major

Chemistry

First Advisor

Michael Krout

Second Advisor

Dee Ann Casteel

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