# CAREER: Metal Ligand Cooperativity to Cleave C-H Bonds

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of California-Los Angeles (CA) · $750,000

## Abstract

Dr. Matthew Nava of the University of California, Los Angeles will develop new ways to transform the basic building blocks of chemicals into valuable products including medicines, agrochemicals, material precursors, and chemical fuels. Currently, many essential chemical reactions require the use of rare and expensive “noble” metals, which can be difficult to extract, and subject to supply chain disruptions when sourced from geopolitically sensitive regions. This project seeks to replace these critical metals with common, inexpensive and earth-abundant elements molecularly engineered to perform at the same high level as their noble metal counterparts. A key enabling feature of this work is the use of supporting ligands to compensate for deficiencies of base elements. By making chemical manufacturing cleaner, more affordable, and hardened against supply chain disruptions, this work would strengthen advanced manufacturing in the U.S., while also increasing our economic competitiveness and security. Beyond the laboratory, the project will provide unique training opportunities for undergraduate students, equipping them with the technical skills needed for the modern workforce and creating publicly available tutorials to make applied chemical synthesis available to everyone.

The proposed research will investigate the role of metal-ligand cooperativity in bond activation processes through the development of modular synthetic platforms. Specifically, the project would focus on the

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2543785
- **Awardee organization:** University of California-Los Angeles (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** RN64EPNH8JC6
- **PI:** Matthew Nava
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, Advanced Manufacturing
- **Estimated total:** $750,000
- **Funds obligated:** $750,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2026 → 06/30/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2543785

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2543785, CAREER: Metal Ligand Cooperativity to Cleave C-H Bonds. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2543785. Licensed CC0.

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