Catalytic Isomerization as a Tool for Site- and Stereoselective Chemical Synthesis

Abstract

The catalytic isomerization of alkenes is an indispensable chemical transformation for accessing higher-value analogues and has important utility in the chemical industry. However, adventitious olefin migrations may also pose complications, especially in uncontrolled scenarios leading to undesired side products. In this presentation, we will describe our recent developments in iron- and nickel-catalyzed processes that leverage alkene isomerization as a key step to promote regio- and stereoselective synthesis of various molecules of interest.

Biography

Ming Joo (MJ) Koh is the first President's Assistant Professor who joined the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He graduated from Nanyang Technological University (Chemistry, First Class Honors) in 2012 before heading to Boston College for his PhD and post-doctoral studies, under the supervision of Prof Amir Hoveyda. At NUS Chemistry, Koh’s research focuses on developing sustainable and practical catalytic solutions that address critical and unresolved problems in chemical synthesis through homogeneous base metal catalysis, heterogeneous single-atom catalysis and radical chemistry. He is a recipient of the NUS Inauguration Grant (2019), the Asian Core Program Lectureship Award for China and Thailand (2019), and the Excellent Young Teacher Award (2020).