Dissertation Defense Schedule
Academic Excellence
Sharing original dissertation research is a principle to which the University of Delaware is deeply committed. It is the single most important assignment our graduate students undertake and upon completion is met with great pride.
We invite you to celebrate this milestone by attending their dissertation defense. Please review the upcoming dissertation defense schedule below and join us!
PROGRAM | Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nickel-catalyzed Reactions of Nontraditional Electrophiles
By: Danielle Shacklady McAtee Chair: Mary Watson
ABSTRACT
This dissertation focuses on investigations of nickel-catalyzed reactions of nontraditional electrophiles to set stereogenic centers. Chapter 1 describes a novel nickel(0)-catalyzed cyclization of N-benzoylaminals for isoindolinone synthesis. This method enables preparation of a variety of isoindolinones with substitution on the benzoyl fragment and C-3 carbon. This reaction likely proceeds via an &agr;-amidoalkylnickel(II) intermediate, which then may cyclize via either an electrophilic aromatic substitution or an insertion pathway.
Chapter 2 describes the development of a nickel-catalyzed cross coupling of benzylic ammonium triflates with aryl boronic acids to afford diarylmethanes and diarylethanes. This reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and with exceptional functional group tolerance. Further, it transforms branched benzylic ammonium salts to diarylethanes with excellent chirality transfer. A second-generation catalyst system is also discussed for the activation of benzylic ammonium triflates. This method relies on the use of Ni(cod) 2 without ancillary phosphine or N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as catalyst. Preliminary mechanistic studies have been undertaken to probe the identity of the active catalyst for the second-generation phosphine-less catalyst system for both the napthyl and phenyl substituted ammonium salts.
Chapter 3 focuses on the progress towards activating the C–N bond of amino acids. Preliminary results have been obtained for activating the C–N bond of β-amino acids, which represents the first example of non-benzylic C–N activation for our group. Synthesis of a new model substrate that includes a chelating group to help aid in the activation of the C–N bond of &agr;-amino acids is also discussed.
The Process
Step-by-Step
Visit our “Step-by-Step Graduation Guide” to take you through the graduation process.From formatting your Dissertation to Doctoral Hooding procedures.
Dissertation Manual
Wondering how to set up the format for your paper. Refer to the “UD Thesis/Dissertation Manual” for formatting requirements and more.
Defense Submission Form
This form must be completed two weeks in advance of a dissertation defense to meet the University of Delaware Graduate and Professional Education’s requirements.
