Project Summary/Abstract The NIH Diversity supplement will financially support the training and development of a first- generation, Peruvian U.S. permanent resident Ph.D. candidate, who will be conducting research in the topics disclosed in the parent grant. This student will be investigating the mechanistic pathways of Cu-catalyzed C-N cross-couplings under a diverse set of dianionic ligand and reaction conditions. Recent mechanistic findings showed that oxalamides, a type of dianionic ligand, form a Cu(II) complex that catalyzes Ullman couplings of aryl halides with phenoxides by a new mechanism involving redox “non-innocence” of the ligand. However, the generality of this finding has yet to be established. The span of the ligands being surveyed differ by the degree of conjugation in their backbone which is hypothesized to correlate with their likelihood of following the mechanism involving ligand redox. Since Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling to form C-N bonds occurs with copper complexes of several ligands that could also bind as dianions, testing these systems will create a better understanding of the mechanisms of Cu catalyzed cross-coupling and pave the way for more effective ligand design. In addition to these mechanistic and methodological research plans, the candidate will follow an individualized development and training plan we have created to best suit his career aims during his predoctoral training. These activities will include participation and instruction in problem-solving sessions in synthesis and catalysis, taking part in workshops to prepare the candidate for writing grants, working closely with a postdoctoral mentor and the research advisor to prepare manuscripts and presentations, as well enhancing his ability to present research results orally and to establish scientific networks by attending and presenting at national conferences.