Research

3. Intermolecular C-H Activation Reactions of Arenes and Alkanes.

The intermolecular activation of inert C-H bonds by organotransition metal complexes is one of the most intensely studied areas in chemistry since these systems may allow for catalytically converting hydrocarbons from inexpensive sources to important commodity products. Several strategies can lead to C-H bond activation reactions and these include discrete oxidative addition, α-bond metathesis, radical bond homolysis, electrophilic reactions, and 1,2-addition reactions across metal-ligand multiple bonded functionalities. Our group has discovered that transient titanium alkylidynes, when generated by an α-hydrogen abstraction reaction, can activate intermolecular sp² and sp³ C-H bonds of arenes and hydrocarbons under mild conditions.¹ Experimental and theoretical studies have been extensively applied in order to understand the mechanism and to deduce an energy profile for C-H bond activation reactions (Figure to the right).¹ We are currently exploring methods to convert arenes and alkanes to functionalized reagents using this type of transformation and examining the equilibrium scenario between the thermodynamic product and the alkylidyne intermediate (shown in red).

Selected References
1. Bailey, B. C.; Fan, H.; Baum, E. W.; Huffman, J. C.; Baik, M.-H.; Mindiola, D. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 16016-16017.