Project Grant 2554736

Project Grant Summary: New Strategies for Sustainable Synthetic Methods Using Nickel Catalysis

Under this $600,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry (CFDA 47.049 – Mathematical and Physical Sciences), Professor John Montgomery of the University of Michigan Department of Chemistry is developing innovative catalytic processes for synthetic organic chemistry using earth-abundant nickel. The research delivers sustainable synthetic methods that leverage nickel's unique reactivity to create high-value chemical products with significant cost and environmental advantages over traditional precious-metal catalysts. Key deliverables include discovery of novel nickel-catalyzed reactions unavailable with other metals, mechanistic insights into unconjugated diene ligands, and synthetic methodologies enabling direct additions to carbonyls using electrophilic and non-polar substrates. These advances position nickel catalysis as a more economically viable and environmentally responsible alternative that reduces toxic byproducts and ensures reliable domestic access to catalyst precursors in bulk quantities.

The project, active from July 15, 2026 through June 30, 2029, prioritizes workforce development and cross-disciplinary research training for undergraduate and graduate students across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, polymer, and petroleum industries. The research training program emphasizes sustainable catalysis principles, professional development, and collaborative initiatives designed to prepare students for employment in chemical and related industries. As a major federal research recipient, the University of Michigan's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects will administer the award through its established research infrastructure and competitive, full-and-open federal funding partnerships with NSF and other agencies.