A Combined Spectroscopic and Theoretical Approach to the Development of Homogeneous Catalysts for Hydrogen Transfer Chemistry

Abstract

Understanding the speciation of homogeneous catalysts in solution under turnover conditions and their dynamic evolution over the course of the reaction presents a long-standing challenge for traditional mechanistic investigations based on initial rate analysis and stoichiometric test experiments. This thesis shows how high resolution FlowNMR spectroscopy is a powerful non-invasive tool for studying air-sensitive transition metal catalysis under working conditions in real time, as exemplified by the investigation of the photochemical oxidation of N-allybenzylamine requiring a sustained input of light and air, and the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones from isopropanol using Noyori catalysts.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Ulrich Hintermair (Supervisor), John Lowe (Supervisor) & Antoine Buchard (Supervisor)