Catalytic Ruthenium Tetroxide Oxidations of Iodoalkanes, Ethers and Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Grant Winner

Dean

Abstract

In the course of research supported by the previous President's Faculty Scholarship Award (2001/2002), my students and I developed an environmentally friendly process for a catalytic ruthenium tetroxide oxidation. Broad, long-term objectives of this project are to further develop this methodology and apply it on catalytic ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of iodoalkanes, ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls. Specific goals of the project are to: investigate the role of the stochiometric oxidant, develop a method for catalytic ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of secondary iodoalkanes (primary iodoalkanes have already been successfully oxidized), further develop a methodology for catalytic ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of ethers, and develop a methodology for catalytic ruthenium tetroxide oxidative degradation of organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls.

This will be accomplished by doing a series of short research projects with undergraduate students. In the follow up to the proposed work, we plan to investigate oxidation of bi- and polyfunctional compounds and apply the developed methodology to a total synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. Two centers (Oceanographic Center and Farquhar School of Arts and Sciences) will be involved in this project. The results will be reported at conferences and in peer reviewed journals.

With the results of this research I intend to make applications for external funding to support the continuation of the research (to National Institutes of Health) as well as development of discovery-based organic chemistry labs related to this project (to Dreyfus Foundation).