The National Science Foundation awarded a $525,000 Project Grant to the University of Chicago under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2025. The grant funds research by Professor Guangbin Dong to develop new catalyst-based strategies for the byproduct-free generation of value-added products from simple ketone and olefin precursors through alkylation reactions. Specifically, the research aims to create alpha- and beta-selective ketone-olefin coupling reactions using transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization. This includes developing Lewis acid/transition metal cooperative catalysis for direct alpha-alkylation of ketones with olefins, as well as transition metal-catalyzed desaturation-based hydride-transfer strategies for beta-alkylation and beta-alkenylation of ketones using olefins and alkynes respectively. The grant also supports related outreach activities encouraging underrepresented groups to explore STEM careers.
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