In either case, a new type of transformation often reveals itself for the first time as a minor or trace product in a reaction mixture. When useful new reactivity is recognized shaping this embryonic reaction and nurturing its potential becomes the goal. Our current research interests include developing new homogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of olefins, using inorganic reagents to effect new transformations in organic chemistry, and asymmetric catalysis involving both early and late transition metal-mediated processes. Much of our present effort explores this newly uncovered phenomenon and seeks other systems driven by it. A robotics laboratory dedicated to these catalyst-discovery endeavors has just been completed.
Olefins are exceedingly common starting materials for organic synthesis.
Hence, during a synthetic sequence asymmetric oxidations of this planar functional group open very attractive portals for entry into the three-dimensional, chiral world.