Robert G. Bergman & Jonathan
A. Ellman talk with ScienceWatch.com and answer a few
questions about this month's Fast Moving Fronts paper in the
field of Chemistry.
Article: Experimental and computational studies on the
mechanism of N-heterocycle C-H activation by
Rh(L)
Authors: Wiedemann, SH;Lewis, JC;Ellman, JA;Bergman,
RG
Journal: J AM CHEM SOC, 128 (7): 2452-2462 FEB 22 2006
Addresses: Univ Calif Berkeley, Dept Chem, Berkeley, CA 94720
USA.
Univ Calif Berkeley, Dept Chem, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA.
Univ Calif Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Div Chem Sci,
Berkeley, CA 94720 USA.
Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
Coauthor:
Jonathan A. Ellman
The manuscript is highly cited because enthusiasm for the potential use of
carbon-hydrogen (C-H) functionalization in the production of
pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials is increasing exponentially.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper
in layman's terms?Does it describe a new discovery,
methodology, or synthesis of knowledge?
The manuscript describes elucidation and detailed characterization of a new
mechanistic pathway for reactions in which C-H bonds in organic molecules
are "activated" by transition metals. This process allows the C-H bonds to
be "functionalized," or converted catalytically into new carbon-carbon
bonds or other other useful groups attached to carbon.
This facilitates the synthesis of complex molecular products from simple
precursors in a single step with minimal waste byproducts.
Moreover, this new mechanistic pathway enables the efficient synthesis of
interesting and useful chemical structures that were previously
inaccessible by C-H functionalization processes.
Robert G. Bergman Gerald E. K. Branch Distinguished Professor Department of Chemistry University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA, USA Web |
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Jonathan A. Ellman Professor of Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA, USA Web |
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