Novel Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization and Organic Transformations

Our research group is interested in the design or discovery of novel transition metal complexes for use as catalysts in the coordination-insertion polymerization of olefins that contain O, N, P, or F functional groups. This is an area of research with great potential as the incorporation of heteroatoms into a polymer imparts unique properties to that material. Despite the importance of these polymers, they have not been prepared by a coordination-insertion mechanism. This route is important as it allows control over molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, tacticity, morphology, regioerrors, and end groups. Control of these parameters is essential in producing a desired material.

Another area of emphasis concerns the use transition metal complexes as catalysts for the preparation of g-ketophosphonates. Typically prepared by Michael additions of phosphoryl anions to a, b-unsaturated ketones, these compounds find applications in a wide variety of fields including organic, medicinal, and polymer chemistry. Our goal is to devise superior routes for the synthesis of these vital compounds. Transition metal catalysis is ideal for this investigation since the reactivity of the metal center is very sensitive to the electronic and steric properties of the ligands. Therefore, manipulation of the ligand architecture will allow optimization of key reaction parameters including yield, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity. Moreover, we will conduct a mechanistic investigation of this system by independently synthesizing reaction intermediates and studying discrete reaction steps.

Additional Information

Robert A. Stockland
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry,
Bucknell University

e-mail: rstockla@bucknell.edu
homepage
phone: 570-577-1665
fax: 570-577-1739