LEAPS-MPS: Aryl Tosylates as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Oxygen-containing Heterocycles

在这个由化学部管理的项目中，罗文大学的Rashanique Quarels博士和她的研究团队正在开发光催化条件，以产生环状化合物，杂环和双甲酰基化方法。该项目的一个主要重点是将苯酚转化为增值化学品。选择使用衍生自酚类的甲苯磺酸芳基酯作为自由基前体是由于市售酚类的丰富性、底物稳定性和实用性。本研究的目的是提供基础知识的可见光介导的，单电子转移方法和不同的机制依赖于光催化剂的选择。该项目的另一个目标是实施几种方法，以扩大参与并提高STEM劳动力的入学率。该项目将支持：（1）“STEM职业”系列研讨会，（2）将研究融入课程，以及（3）为化学和生物化学领域代表性不足的学生提供研究经验。 Quarels研究小组将研究有机和过渡金属催化剂，这些催化剂使用芳基甲苯磺酸酯作为自由基前体，产生碳，氧和硫中心自由基。Quarels博士和她的研究团队将进行化学合成，光氧化还原催化，NMR分析，质谱分析和计算建模研究。整个工作可以提供激发态有机和过渡金属光催化剂之间的差异和互补性的更好的理解。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

In this project managed by the Chemistry Division, Dr. Rashanique Quarels and her research team at Rowan University are developing photocatalytic conditions to generate cyclic compounds, heterocycles, and desulfonylation methods. A major focus of this project is conversion of phenols into value-added chemicals. The use of aryl tosylates, derived from phenols, as radical precursors is chosen due to the abundance of commercially available phenols, substrate stability, and utility. The goal of this research is to provide fundamental knowledge on visible-light-mediated, single-electron-transfer methods and resulting divergent mechanisms dependent upon photocatalyst selection. Another objective of this project is to implement several approaches to broaden participation and improve matriculation into the STEM workforce. This project will support: (1) the “Careers in STEM” seminar series, (2) the integration of research into the curriculum, and (3) research experiences for underrepresented students in chemistry and biochemistry. The Quarels research team will study organic and transition-metal catalysts that result in carbon-, oxygen-, and sulfur-centered radicals using aryl tosylates as radical precursors. Dr. Quarels and her research team will perform chemical synthesis, photoredox catalysis, NMR analysis, mass spectrometry analysis, and computational modeling studies. The overall work could provide a better understanding of the differences and complementarity between excited state organic and transition-metal photocatalysts.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.