CAREER: Bimolecular Mechanisms for Nickel-Mediated Bond Formation

过渡金属催化可以高效、经济地合成有机化合物，在化学、医药和聚合物制造中有着广泛的应用。与非常常用的贵金属催化剂相比，基于镍的催化剂是一种廉价且富含稀土的替代催化剂。此外，镍提供了获得新型化学反应和产品的途径，以及前所未有的反应性。在这个项目中，刁天宁博士正在进行一项基础研究，以了解镍是如何在有机化学中的重要元素之间形成化学键的，从而为解决这类至关重要的化学反应中的实际挑战提供基础。除了培训学生接触有机化学和无机化学之外，刁亦农还在开发一个暑期工作坊项目，以帮助少数民族学生人数不足的院校的教师克服教授科学的挑战。此外，Diao博士还积极参与创建、编辑和更新免费在线教科书ChemWiki的内容，为全球学生提供服务。在化学系化学催化项目的资助下，纽约大学的Diao博士正在为各种镍介导键的形成过程建立双分子还原消除机制。定义明确的双金属镍配合物经过氧化生成混价和高价中间体，这些中间体迅速形成碳-碳、碳-卤素和氮-氮键。Ni-Ni键的光谱表征及其在稳定活性中间体中的作用为开发化学合成的新反应提供了机理基础。Diao博士正在积极地为免费在线教科书Chemwiki做出贡献，为世界各地的学生，特别是经济困难的学生服务。此外，刁亦男正在开发一个暑期工作坊项目，以帮助少数民族学生人数不足的院校加强理科教学。

Transition metal catalysis allows for the efficient and economical syntheses of organic compounds that finds widespread applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, and polymer manufacturing. In comparison to the very commonly used precious metal catalysts, catalysts based on nickel represent an inexpensive and earth-abundant alternative. In addition, nickel provides access to new types of chemical reactions and products, as well as unprecedented reactivity. In this project, Dr. Tianning Diao is conducting a fundamental study to understand how nickel forms chemical bonds between elements of importance in organic chemistry, thereby providing the basis for solving practical challenges in this critically important class of chemical reactions. In addition to training students at the interface of organic and inorganic chemistry, Dr. Diao is developing a summer workshop program to help teachers from institutions with underrepresented minority students overcome challenges in teaching science. In addition, Dr. Diao is actively engaged in creating, editing, and updating contents in ChemWiki, a free online textbook, serving students worldwide. With funding from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Diao of New York University is establishing bimolecular reductive elimination mechanisms for a variety of Ni-mediated bond formation processes. Well-defined bimetallic Ni complexes undergo oxidation to generate mixed-valent and high-valent intermediates, which rapidly proceed to form carbon-carbon, carbon-halogen, and nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. Spectroscopic characterization of Ni-Ni bonds and their roles in stabilizing reactive intermediates provide the mechanistic basis for developing new reactions for chemical synthesis. Dr. Diao is actively contributing to Chemwiki, a free online textbook, serving students worldwide, especially the financially disadvantaged. In addition, Dr. Diao is developing a summer workshop program to help enhance teaching of science at institutions with underrepresented minority students.