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 redox-active materials for energy storage.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Within this framework, we aim to: (a) develop and discover new selective organic reactions, and (b) advance of organic-based redox flow batteries. Thus far, we have made strides in selective electrochemical transformations that advance the field of C–H functionalization (A) and discovered novel cross-coupling reactions using organoboron reagents (B). Additionally, we have successfully applied concepts in physical organic chemistry as new platforms for the advancement of next-generation organic redox flow batteries (C).
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.