The innovation engine for new materials

Paige Chardavoyne

Paige Chardavoyne

Major: 

Chemistry

University: 

Williams College

Mentor(s): 

Dave Fisher

Faculty Sponsor(s): 

Javier Read de Alaniz

Faculty Sponsor's Department(s): 

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Project Title: 

Formation of Carbon-Nitrogen Bonds through Radical Processes

Project Description: 

Carbon-nitrogen bonds are found in a large array of natural products and pharmaceutical targets. However, traditional methods of introducing nitrogen into molecules, such as substitution and electrophilic amination processes have their downfalls. Substitution processes have been known to result in overalkylation and electrophilic amination processes often require harsh reaction conditions or the use of toxic and hazardous reagents. Prior research by members of the Read de Alaniz group has demonstrated that carbon-nitrogen bonds can be formed under mild copper-catalyzed conditions when carbon radicals, formed from brominated species, are trapped by arylnitroso compounds. This results in formation of the desired carbon-nitrogen bond as well as a nitrogen-oxygen bond. The resulting nitrogen-oxygen bond is then cleaved to yield the desired amine species and the alcohol byproduct. Their research suggests that alpha-bromo esters and alpha-bromo amides are suitable substrates for this reaction. Results thus far suggest that benzyl bromides are also suitable substrates and that various arylnitroso compounds, generated in situ from the corresponding arylhydroxylamines, can be utilized in this reaction. A vital feature of the radical coupling reaction is that the reaction conditions are mild, allowing for bond formation without alteration of other preexisting functional groups in the molecule. Once further explored, radical processes could be applied to the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds with safe reagents in the late stages of organic syntheses.