Shafir
Research group
* The Shafir group started its research activities in 2013
Research Abstract
The Shafir group was created in 2013 and has since begun research on metal-catalyzed processes and on the coupling reactions involving hypervalent iodine reagents. The group’s work on metal catalysis combines ligand development with the studies of the reaction mechanism. Thus, during 2013 the group has pursued intermediates involved in the Cr- and Ti-catalyzed selective conversion of ethylene to 1-hexene and 1-octene. The process is mechanistically distinct from the classical Ziegler-Natta oligomerization, and the group is working on the detection of the putative fleeting metallacyclic and electron-defficient low-valent intermediates. The group has begun work on other industrially relevant processes, including ethanol upgrade and related H2-borrowing approaches. The group is also active in the development of new oxidative processes involving iodine(III) reagents. As an example, a new strategy for the α-arylation of ketones has been developed in which the simple PhI(O2CCF3)2 is employed as an Ar-transfer agent.
Topics addressed
- Catalytic conversion of ethylene into a-olefines
- Hypervalent iodine reagents for new transformations