Award Address (ACS Award in Organometallic Chemistry, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company Foundation). Endeavors in bond activation and catalysis

ORGN 302

David Milstein, david.milstein@weizmann.ac.il, Department of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
Our studies on selective activation of strong bonds by late transition metal complexes, and homogeneous catalysis involving these bonds, will be described. Emphasis will be placed on C-X (X= C, H, F, Cl) and O-H bonds. Among the ligands utilized in these studies are pincer-type tridenate mono-anionic frameworks which can impart on metal centers both stability and unusual modes of reactivity. Facile de-aromatization processes have led to uncommon structures and have provided insight regarding the interactions of metals with aromatics. The role of pincer hemilability and reversible dearomatization in catalysis will be illustrated.