# Earth abundant catalysts as an enabling tool for organic synthesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · PRINCETON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $302,622

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Transition metal catalyzed reactions have revolutionized chemical synthesis as applied to the
preparation of bioactive molecules and drug compounds. Most of these transformations rely on the
least abundant elements in the Earth's lithosphere – palladium, iridium and rhodium – and raise
concerns about toxicity and sustainability. This proposal describes catalysis with Earth abundant
transition metals that, in addition to cost and environmental advantages, offers unique reactivity that will
enable new methods to diversify lead compounds in medicinal chemistry and potentially streamline
pharmaceutical synthesis. Cobalt and nickel complexes are proposed, as their high density of states,
unique redox chemistry and smaller atomic radii than heavy metals congeners can be utilized to
overcome long-standing challenges in site selective C-H functionalization. In addition, new
polyfunctionalization methods are described whereby multiple C-H bonds on a single carbon are
transformed into reactive and versatile functionality. Notably, the proposed methods do not rely on
directing groups but rather inherent electronic and steric differences associated with specific carbon-
hydrogen bonds. A third area of interest, conducted in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb, explores
new iron and cobalt catalysts as alternatives to palladium for the most widely applied carbon-carbon
bond forming reactions utilized in the pharmaceutical industry. The structural similarity among ligand
platforms culminates in a new method for one-pot site selective C-H arylation in the absence of
directing groups using an Earth abundant metal catalyst.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9870933
- **Project number:** 5R01GM121441-04
- **Recipient organization:** PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL J CHIRIK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $302,622
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9870933

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9870933, Earth abundant catalysts as an enabling tool for organic synthesis (5R01GM121441-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9870933. Licensed CC0.

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