RESEARCH PROJECTS

Catalytic reactions provide green, efficient, and selective syntheses of organic compounds when compared to waste-generating stoichiometric methods. However, many catalytic transformations are homogeneous and transition metal based. Metal impurities often remain in the desired compound after isolation and purification. Although selective homogeneous organocatalysts can be used, their activities and stabilities are often low, and their handling too demanding for economically viable industrial applications. The application and design of highly active heterogeneous organic catalysts has broad impacts in fine chemical and active pharmaceutical synthesis, yet to-date very few have made it to industrial practice due to limited reactivity and scope.  The MacQuarrie group implements an innovative method of supporting an array of chiral organic catalysts with enhanced homogeneous properties via charge matching between the ionically bound catalyst and the charged supports. The materials are prepared in as inexpensive and green a manner as possible and the supports range from highly ordered silicas to renewable resources such as biochar.