Development of functionalized iodine(III) species as organocatalysts

The iodine atom normally forms one bond with another atom. However, it can be forced to form multiple bonds, making it hypervalent. This draws away electron from the iodine, making it partially positively charged. It will thus attract and interact with negatively charged molecules or parts of molecules. This concept is Lewis acidity and can be exploited to trigger reactions that would not normally occur (catalysis). The goal of the project is to screen a large amount of potential Lewis acids based on hypervalent iodine and use the best candidates as catalysts. They could replace Lewis acids based on expensive and toxic metals as well as possess a unique reactivity that has not yet been explored.

Faculty Supervisor:

Claude Legault

Student:

Partner:

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: