CAREER: Mechanism as a Driving Force in Gold(I) Catalyzed Alkyne Functionalizations

在这项由化学系化学催化计划资助的项目中，维克森林大学的阿曼达·C·琼斯教授正在研究通过研究金基催化剂的作用机理来提高它们的效率。金催化剂是一种功能强大、环境友好的试剂，可用于生产药物和精细化学品。然而，使用它们的经济可行性取决于以最小数量使用它们并最大限度地回收利用的能力。该项目所追求的机械性理解对于实现高水平的效率至关重要。琼斯教授正在研究有机金化合物的独特反应性，以及阳离子金络合物通过金卡宾介导加成反应、金属转移和重排的能力。统一的主题是目前关于烷基金(C(SP3)-Au)中间体形成和反应活性的信息差距。该方法是双管齐下的，首先是合成有机金化合物和金的配合物，其次是对这些结构进行动力学研究，以阐明反应机理并改进未来的催化反应设计。快速注射核磁共振装置的开发将打开获得动力学数据的窗口，从而为这些研究做出贡献。该项目为本科生和研究生提供培训，他们将学习执行化学和科学方法，进行负责任的研究，并批判性地思考反应机理。琼斯教授还在发展阅读俱乐部，以此作为鼓励早期和终身参与科学的一种方式。通过让社区成员和小学生接触以科学为主题的小说，以及“双重人格”的散文或传记作品，那些在理应截然不同的领域(科学家与作家、艺术家、音乐家、活动家)取得成功的人，琼斯教授正在努力培养人们对科学的积极态度。这些努力为科学领域的学生招生提供了非传统因素。

In this project funded by the Chemical Catalysis program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Amanda C. Jones of Wake Forest University is investigating improving the efficiency of gold-based catalysts by examining the chemical mechanisms by which they act. Gold catalysts are powerful and environmentally friendly reagents that can be used for the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. The economic feasibility of their use, however, is dependent on the ability to use them in minimal quantities with maximum recycling. The mechanistic understanding being pursued by this project is crucial to achieving a high level of efficiency. Professor Jones is examining the distinct reactivity of organogold compounds and the ability of cationic gold complexes to mediate addition reactions, transmetalations, and rearrangements via gold carbenes. The unifying theme is the current gap in information about the formation and reactivity of alkyl gold (C(sp3)-Au) intermediates. The approach is two-pronged and incorporates first the synthesis of organogold compounds and gold coordination complexes, and second, kinetic studies on those structures to elucidate mechanisms and improve future design of catalytic reactions. Development of a rapid-injection NMR apparatus will contribute to these studies by opening up the window of obtainable kinetic data. The project provides training for undergraduate and graduate students who will learn to execute chemical and scientific methods, conduct responsible research, and think critically about reaction mechanisms. Professor Jones is also developing reading clubs as a way to encourage early and life-long engagement with science. By exposing community members and elementary school students to novels with scientific themes, as well as the prose or biographical writings of "dual personalities," individuals who have achieved success in supposedly disparate areas (scientist vs. writer, artist, musician, activist), Professor Jones is working to cultivate positive attitudes toward science. These efforts contribute a non-traditional element to the recruitment of students to scientific fields.