Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have emerged as sustainable and cost-effective synthetic methods. While nickel operates via classical closed-shell pathways to catalyze biaryl coupling reactions, its ability to mediate radical pathways has significantly broadened the scope of cross-coupling to include a diverse range of alkyl motifs. Building on mechanistic insights, we developed the ProPhos ligand, which enhances the reactivity of nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura couplings.

Alkenes serve as a key handle for further functionalization, thus methods of activation that provide both selectivity, and tolerance to substitution and functional groups are highly sought after. Metal hydride atom transfer (MHAT) has seen a high level of interest for this reason. It avoids issues that occur in other common alkene functionalization methods like hydrometallation and Bronsted acid conditions.

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes are very versatile catalysts and, in the current literature, involved in more oxidations than any other family of enzymes. They oxidize drugs, steroids, vitamins, carcinogens, natural products, and industrial chemicals. Several of the 57 human P450s are critical for life, but others have been therapeutic targets.

Our laboratory has long focused on the development of especially concise strategies for the synthesis of structurally complex natural products with compelling biological activities. These exploits are usually destined to provide opportunities for deeper studies of their mechanism of action or aspects of their biosynthesis. To aid in these goals, we often design strategies that are amenable to the procurement of multiple members of a family of secondary metabolites.

High-energy density materials (HEDMs) continue to attract significant interest as their capacity for rapid and immense energy release makes them particularly well-suited for explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics. While conventional HEDMs such as TNT and RDX provide rich reservoirs of energy at established industrial scales, their performance is approaching its theoretical ceiling, coupled with persistent concerns over safety and undesirable environmental byproducts.