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.
Novel Boranes: A new project in our laboratory, we are designing a family of sterically hindered boranes to be used in catalyzed borylation reactions. All new boranes will also be examined for their ability to add to late metal complexes.
Biologically
Active Boron Compounds: We have been preparing a number of novel
boron compounds that have potential applications as antifungal, antibacterial
and anticancer agents. Boron compounds are well known to display significant
biological properties. For example, aminoboronic acids are very effective
and reversible inhibitors of serine proteases. Spiroboronate ester compounds are being designed for their potential antifungal properties.
Recent Publications
‘Metal catalysed hydroboration of vinyl sulfides, sulfoxides, sulfones, and sulfonates’ Webb, J. D.; Harrison, D. J.; Norman, D. W.; Blacquiere, J. M.; Vogels, C. M.; Decken, A.; Bates, C. G.; Venkataraman, D.; Baker*, R. T.; Westcott, S. A.* J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem, 2007, in press.
‘Catalytic alkene hydroboration mediated by cationic and formally zwitterionic rhodium(I) and iridium(I) derivatives of a P,N-substituted indene’ Cipot, J.; Vogels, C. M.; McDonald, R.; Westcott,* S. A.; Stradiotto, M.* Organometallics 2006, 25, 5965-5968.
Special Invited Issue Honouring Dr. A.J. Carty: "Rhodium(I) acetylacetonato
complexes containing phosphinoalkynes as catalysts for the hydroboration
of vinylarenes" C. M. Vogels, A. Decken, and S. A. Westcott. Can.
J. Chem. 84, 146-153 (2006).