With the support of the Chemical Synthesis (SYN) program in the Division of Chemistry Professor Marvin Parasram of New York University is studying the development of spatially controlled C–H functionalization reactions empowered by photochromic directing groups. The ability to functionalize strong and prevalent C–H bonds is a contemporary challenge in synthetic chemistry. Scientific advances in the area of transition metal (TM) catalyzed directed C–H functionalization reactions are limited to mono-functionalization using difficult-to-remove directing groups (DG). Moreover, the planarity of the employed DGs does not allow for spatial control, and functionalization is limited to predisposed C–H bonds based on favorable organometallic cycles. The research team will investigate the merger of photochromism and TM–catalyzed C–H functionalization to empower directional control of DGs to enable last-stage C–H difunctionalization at different spatial sites of the molecule. The ability to utilize photochromic DGs for positional controlled C–H functionalization has the potential to expedite the synthesis of important synthetic cores in a highly selective and diverse manner, thereby solving a prominent challenge in synthesis. The education and outreach activities will focus on increasing STEM interest through the development of research-based STEM laboratory classes for undergraduate and high-school students. For graduate students, a non-technical seminar focusing on a speaker’s career j