Mechanisms and dynamic effects in organic reactions

ORGN 42

K. N. Houk, houk@chem.ucla.edu, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569
This lecture describes how computational methods can be used to explore reaction mechanisms and to complement experimental studies. A selection of recent studies of oxidation, pericyclic, and organometallic reactions will be described. The use of density functional theory and complete active space SCF methods to explore reaction mechanisms and dynamic effects on reaction products will be described.

Congratulations to Martin Saunders for his awesome achievements in understanding the mechanisms of organic reactions, recognized by the 2005 James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry.