# Leverage electron-rich Metal Carbenoids to Address Limitations in the Synthesis of Medium-sized Rings

> **NSF 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Rochester (NY) · $575,000

## Abstract

With the support of the Chemical Synthesis Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Tom G. Driver of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is studying the development of new reactions to synthesize medium-ring molecules. Despite their established important bioactivity, this scaffold is underrepresented in pharmaceutical compound libraries because of the lack of synthetic methods for their construction. The goal of this project is to develop new metal-catalyzed processes that leverage and tame the reactivity of highly reactive metal carbenes to trigger new bond formation to create these important molecules. UIC is a designated Minority- and Hispanic Serving institution, and the hypothesis-driven nature of this project is well suited for the education of scientists at all levels. Professor Driver has tailored his research program to provide opportunities for students to advance in their professional development. The funded project also includes research experiences for high school students to inspire their pursuit of careers in STEM fields, and Chemistry Career Fair professional development activities to show the types of jobs and careers undergraduate- and graduate students can aspire to.

Medium-sized carbocycles and heterocycles are critical structural motifs in pharmaceuticals and natural products. Despite their established use as scaffolds in drugs, medium-ring molecules remain underrepresented in pharmaceutical compound libraries, which is attributed to the short

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2544888
- **Awardee organization:** University of Rochester (NY)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **PI:** Tom G Driver
- **Primary program:** 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Advanced Manufacturing
- **Estimated total:** $575,000
- **Funds obligated:** $533,240
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 07/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2544888

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2544888, Leverage electron-rich Metal Carbenoids to Address Limitations in the Synthesis of Medium-sized Rings. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2544888. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*