(1) P-block element catalysis: Designing and developing p-block element catalysts (such as sulfur- and phosphorus-based compounds) to enable new and important organic reactions, including cross-coupling processes, and to address long-standing challenges in organic synthesis, with the goal of expanding the toolbox for efficient molecular construction in pharmaceuticals and materials science. (2) Late-stage editing: Developing innovative strategies and methodologies for the late-stage functionalization or structural editing of complex molecules and drug candidates. (3) Inert structure activation and transformation: Enable the selective activation and transformation of chemically inert moieties, including benzene rings, molecular nitrogen (N₂), and other traditionally unreactive bonds, thereby unlocking new reactivity and synthetic opportunities.
keywords
P-block element catalysis; Cross-couplings; Inert chemical structure activation/transformation; Late-stage editing of drug candidates.
Teaching
courses taught
CHEM 5321 - Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2025
Lect. Modern concepts of physical organic chemistry and their use in interpreting data in terms of mechanisms of organic reactions and reactivities of organic compounds. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students. Recommended prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry, one year of physical chemistry, or graduate standing in chemistry or equivalent.
