prof. Suzanne Blum: Dual-Metal Reactions & Microscopy for Organic Chemists

Abstract

Our research program is the mechanistic study of catalytic reactions, producing fundamental insights that lead to the development of new reactions and the improved selectivity of known reactions.  Within this program, we have two main research thrusts:  The first thrust is the development and fundamental study of dual-metal reactions, whereby two metals (or metalloids—i.e., boron) are employed to create new chemical bonds for organic synthesis; these reactions can be catalytic in both metals or catalytic in one and stoichiometric in the other.  The second thrust is the development of fluorescence microscopy tools to revolutionize studying chemical reactions important to the field of synthetic chemistry and catalysis.