Advisor
DeBoef, Brenton [faculty advisor, Department of Chemistry]
Date
5-2009
Keywords
chemistry; organic; C-H bond activation
Abstract
The formation of a C-C bond via double C-H bond activation is very challenging. There are only a few examples of such a coupling having been accomplished. Only one of these examples consists of a coupling of two sp3 hybridized carbons. I set out to reproduce this coupling, using substrates that would have a functional application to the synthesis of appealing molecules such as bioactive molecules. Cyclohexane and trimethylamine N-oxide were successfully coupled via a double C-H bond activation, catalyzed by copper(II). Current research now involves the coupling of toluene with trimethylamine N-oxide. As this work progresses, more interesting and useful substrates will be employed.