Graham Dobereiner, Temple University
Faculty host: Prof. Popp
Department of Chemistry, Temple University
External additives (such as Bronsted or Lewis acids and bases) can boost catalytic output or tune selectivity of homogeneous catalytic reactions. Our research group is working to better understand the origins of additive effects so that improved catalytic reactions can be designed and implemented. In one case, we have developed a spectroscopic assay for measuring the affinity of Lewis acids for specific ligands of organometallic complexes. Other projects involve benchmarking the effect of additives on catalytic reactions and correlating quantitatively to other physical properties. The culmination of these efforts is the discovery of new (and improved) conditions for catalytic bond formations.