| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N19946/02 |
| Title: |
THE CATALYTIC BIRCH REDUCTION |
| Principal Investigator: |
Donohoe, Professor T |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Oxford Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2001 |
Ends: |
31 December 2003 |
Value (£): |
133,691
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Chemical Synthetic Methodology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This proposal aims to develop the catalytic Birch reduction of aromatic compounds. We have discovered that the Birch reduction may be performed without ammonia solvent as long as naphthalene is added to a group I metal in the THF. We will begin with electron-deficient compounds that form stable dianions and investigate methodology for partial reduction with catalytic napthalene as an electron carrier. Subsequent development of this reaction should lead to an analogous procedure for reducing less electron deficient aromatic compounds, so widening the scope of the reaction. We aim to extend this procedure beyond heterocyclic systems and onto carbocyclic aromatic compounds. The nature of both the electron carrier and the proton source will be investigated. In addition, we know that very reactive electrophiles are compatible with these reaction conditions (normally they react with ammonia) and use of these species should give us some mechanistic information and also allow us to prepare valuable organic compounds in short order. Finally, the use of a solid-phase electron carrier will be investigated and the practicality of the reaction extended.The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a powerful new methodology for the partial reduction of aromatic compounds.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |