C=C insertion, C-H bond functionalisation, challenges to organocatalysis.

In this project organocatalytic carbenoid generation will be developed allowing the first examples of organocatalytic C=C insertion, C-H functionalisation and carbonyl ylide/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to be discovered. Previously such reactions have only been achieved using transition metal catalysts. The novelty of this approach presents a unique and almost unlimited opportunity to examine new reactivity patterns, stereoselectivity, and cascade design. The outcome of these studies will be high quality academic research, graduate training and new reaction technologies.