Abstract:

This thesis defense is composed of two main parts. The first half discusses my efforts to investigate the selectivity and motion of individual molecular catalysts in polymer networks through the use of single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. The second half discusses my chemical education research for the transition of existing curriculum to Argument-Driven Inquiry.

Abstract:

Abstract: 

Hydrofunctionalization is a powerful tool to add fragments across unsaturated building blocks to furnish more complex structures and introduce new stereocenters. My PhD studies have focused on Rh and Cu-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization to build both carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds in a stereoselective and regioselective manner. With careful pairing of transition-metals and ligands, we successfully accessed chiral α,α-disubstituted-α-amino acid precursors, chiral cyclopropyl phosphines and N-arylated pyrazole motifs.

Abstract:

Abstract:

This dissertation will focus on four main areas: The first aspect to be discussed will be reaction of allyl 2-diazo-2-phenylacetates with trimethylsilyl thioethers in the presence of rhodium(II) catalysts. These conditions generate α-allyl-α-thio silyl esters which undergo a spontaneous Ireland–Claisen rearrangement. Competing side-reactions, substrate scope and application will be explored.