Professor, Canada Research Chair in Boron Chemistry
Development of Novel Catalysts: A major focus in our
lab is the development of novel zwitterionic metal complexes for their
ability to catalyze a number of borylation reactions. Borylations are
the addition of X-B bonds (X = H, B, Si, S, Ge, N) to unsaturated organics.
Metal complexes containing the ligand [Bcat2]- are or particular interest
owing to its ability to bind to metal via the arene rings of the catecholato
groups.
Biologically
Active Metal and Boron Compounds: We have been preparing a number of novel
metal and boron compounds that have potential applications as antifungal, antibacterial
and anticancer agents. Platinum complexes are powerful anticancer agents and spiroboronate ester compounds are being designed for their potential antifungal properties.
Recent Publications: (96 different undergraduate authors)
1. ‘Addition of boranes to Schiff Bases: Intramolecular hydrogenation of imines’ Barnes, S. S.; Vogels, C. M.; Decken, A.; Westcott, S. A.* Dalton Trans. 2010, submitted.2. ‘Phosphine iridium acetylacetonato complexes: synthesis and catalytic activity in the cyclization of alkynoic acids’ Geier, M. J.; Vogels, C. M.; Decken, A.; Westcott, S. A.* Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2010, 4602-4610.
3. ‘Arylspiroboronate esters: From lithium batteries to wood preservatives to catalysis’ Vogels, C. M.; Westcott, S. A.* Chem. Soc. Rev. 2010, accepted.