Prof. Douglas B. Grotjahn | San Diego State University | “Moving Protons: Bifunctional Catalysis for Organic Chemistry and Energy”
Event Date:
April 28, 2014 – 4:00 PM to April 29, 2014 – 4:59 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Event Date:
April 28, 2014 – 4:00 PM to April 29, 2014 – 4:59 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Seminar Series
Spring 2014
Dr. Douglas B. Grotjahn
San Diego State University
“Moving Protons: Bifunctional Catalysis for Organic Chemistry and Energy”
Abstract:
Nature’s enzymatic catalysts often rely on exquisite control of proton transfer or hydrogen bonding to accelerate reactions. Organometallic catalysts can benefit in a similar manner, helping reactions which enzymes cannot accomplish. Our laboratory focuses on metal complexes with ligands containing nitrogen bases or their conjugate acids, starting with bifunctional systems with one pendant organic group to help the metal during catalysis, but more complex systems can be imagined. Rate accelerations of as much as 1,000 to 10,000 have been achieved thanks to pendant bases. In this presentation, both published and ongoing work from our group in the areas of catalysis for organic synthesis and energy will be discussed.
BIO:
Doug Grotjahn received a B.A. in Chemistry from Reed College, then worked 1.5 years at Syntex Research in Palo Alto before going back to academia as a Ph.D. student with Peter Vollhardt at U.C. Berkeley. There he discovered the ability of cobalt catalysts to add two alkynes to an aromatic ring (the 2,3-bond of indole). This work ultimately culminated (after several more co-workers’ efforts) in a formal total synthesis of strychnine. As a NATO postdoc with Karl-Heinz Dötz, he worked on chromium carbene complexes. After being an assistant professor at Arizona State University he joined the faculty at SDSU in 1997 and became professor in 2002. Dr. Grotjahn’s interests span organic and inorganic chemistry, catalysis, and mechanism, with emphasis on challenging problems, currently in green chemistry and clean energy. Molecules studied have ranged from monomeric methyllithium (mol. wt. 22) to dendrimers (mol. wt. >4000) for MRI applications. Throughout, synthesis is the key – being able to make whatever one can imagine!
Monday, April 28, 2014 @ 4:00pm Burson 115
Refreshments served @ 3:45