Topical Group: 5:30-6:30 P.M.
Social Hour: 6:00- 7:00 P.M.
Cash Bar Available
Dinner: 7:00 P.M.
Meeting: 8:00 P.M.

SonBinh got his BS in Physics and Chemistry from Penn State University, did a summer internship at Dupont, and did his PhD at CalTech working with Robert Grubbs and Nate Lewis. He did postdoctoral work with Barry Sharpless at Scripps before coming to Northwestern. His research interests include organometallic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and material synthesis. He is the recipients of a Camille and Henry Dreyfus New Faculty Award, a duPont Young Professor Grant, and the Union Carbide Innovation Recognition Award. He is also a Beckman Fellow and a Packard Fellow.

Abstract

1. Chirally-pure cyclopropanes are highly desirable intermediates for pharmaceutical and fine chemical syntheses. Arguably, the best way to synthesize chirally-pure cyclopropanes is via the stereospecific and catalytic addition of a carbenoid fragment to a prochiral olefin, the olefin cyclopropanation reaction. In spite of its long history in homogeneous catalysis, this reaction still poses a significant challenge for chemist in the stereoselectivity arena. Recent advances in stereoselective olefin cyclopropanation using a new class of Schiff-base late transition metal catalysts will be discussed with a focus on mechanistic studies and catalyst tuning.

2. Many high-oxidation-state metal-oxo porphyrins are potent catalysts for the epoxidation of olefins and the hydroxylation of hydrocarbons. They typically suffer, however, from chemical instability (e.g. bimolecular self-oxidation) and from a distinct lack of substrate specificity. Supramolecular functionalization and encapsulation offer compelling new ways of systematically resolving both problems. Our recent studies with potent manganese epoxidation catalysts and with designed "encapsulands" will be discussed as illustrations of the potential of supramolecular chemical approaches to impart both stability and selectivity.