Summary
Research Interests
Our research interests include the synthesis, physical properties, structure, reactions and catalytic properties of coordination and organometallic compounds. Four avenues of research are pursued: (1) Structure, dynamics, and bonding in Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. The interrelationships of geometric isomerizations, ligand substitutions and homogeneous catalysis are studied. (2) Reactions of coordinated ligands, particularly phosphines and arsines. A greater understanding of the factors which influence chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, regioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity is sought. (3) Solid state NMR spectroscopy. Benchmark data are used to assess the utility of CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy for structural determination of amorphous solids. (4) Asymmetric homogeneous catalysis. Synthesis and resolution of new conformationally rigid chiral bidentate and tridentate ligands and investigation of asymmetric hydrogenation, hydroformylation and cross coupling of Grignard reagents with aryl and vinyl halides by transition metal complexes of these ligands.
Education
- Postdoctoral (1968-70), Tulane University (H. B. Jonassen)
- Ph.D. (1968), University of Utah (R. O. Ragsdale)
- B.S. (1964), University of Utah