Kelly Nugent
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Nathaniel Szymczak
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Chemistry / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 5 (2:40pm – 3:30pm)
Authors: Kelly Nugent, Sang gyu Seo, Nathaniel Szymczak
Abstract
A borane-appended nickel disphosphine ligand (referred to as PPB-NiCOD) was synthesized and further used to identify its catalytic capabilities. Three Lewis acidic boranes (catecholborane and dicyclohexyl borane) were evaluated during ligand synthesis, and ultimately the synthesis using 9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane was the most promising and was thus used in further reactions. Hydrogenation of cyclooctadiene was tested first, using either solely H2 gas or H2 gas plus an alcohol proton-donor as the hydrogen source, but very little cyclooctane was generated. Varying the substrate to chalcone was additionally tested, but similarly to the previous reactions, hydrogenation was unsuccessful. Reductive elimination was also tested, though again, no productive reaction was seen. Experimentation has since shifted to C-H bond activation, combining the stabilizing effect brought by the borane appended arm with the Ni-promoted imido formation. Previous research involving this chemistry has been promising, and further work is needed to evaluate the success of PPB-NiCOD in these conditions.
