CAREER: Bimolecular Mechanisms for Nickel-Mediated Bond Formation

过渡金属催化剂允许有效且经济地合成有机化合物，其在化学、药物和聚合物制造中得到广泛应用。与非常常用的贵金属催化剂相比，基于镍的催化剂代表了一种廉价且地球资源丰富的替代品。此外，镍提供了获得新型化学反应和产物的途径，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，以了解镍如何在有机化学中的重要元素之间形成化学键，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。 除了在有机和无机化学的界面培训学生，刁博士正在开发一个夏季研讨会计划，以帮助教师从机构与代表性不足的少数民族学生克服在教学科学的挑战。此外，Diao博士还积极参与创建、编辑和更新ChemWiki的内容，这是一本免费的在线教科书，为全球学生提供服务。在化学系化学催化计划的资助下，纽约大学的刁博士正在为各种镍介导的键形成过程建立双分子还原消除机制。定义明确的Ni-Ni配合物经过氧化产生混合价和高价中间体，其迅速进行形成碳-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博士积极为Chemwiki贡献力量，Chemwiki是一本免费的在线教科书，服务于全球学生，特别是经济困难的学生。此外，刁博士正在开发一个暑期研讨会项目，以帮助加强少数民族学生人数不足的机构的科学教学。

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.