Cooperative Catalysis Using Earth Abundant Metals

Project Summary Homogeneous transition metal catalysis is one of the most significant tools in drug discovery and biomedical research. The development of practical, environmentally friendly catalysts remains an important goal in medicinal and process chemistry, as the sustainable development of new medicines is dependent on the availability of a diverse set of synthetic methods. However, the pharmaceutical and chemical industry is over-reliant on precious metal elements which are scarce, toxic and, expensive. This proposal describes research into novel metal complexes based upon abundant 1st-row metalate species for application in catalytic transformations of biologically relevant small molecules. In Aim 1 of the proposal, we will develop and investigate the structural and electronic features of a new class of metal complexes in unusually low oxidation states and supported by N- heterocyclic phosphenium ions (NHPs). This knowledge will then be used to facilitate the development of functional catalysts. In Aim 2, the development of metalate-catalyzed transformations will be investigated. A major focus will be on the development of small molecule functionalization using careful mechanistic analysis of the novel pathways likely to emerge from the use of unprecedented metalate catalysts. The new catalysts and transformations developed in this proposal will allow medicinal and process chemists the ability to conserve valuable and non-sustainable resources (precious metals) which represent a key technology in drug development. These approaches will in turn be useful in the preparation of new materials and medicines to further biomedical research.