Alkali metals, such as lithium and sodium, are naturally abundant elements, and their compounds are historically inexpensive and readily available. Due to these advantages, organic synthetic reactions utilizing alkali metals are among the most useful transformations, and countless studies have been reported to date. However, many of these classical reactions could entail practical problems, including inherently low selectivity and slow reaction rate, which in turn limits the substrate scope and require harsh conditions such as high temperature and pressure.
Dr. Wolfe is a Mathias P. Mertes Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas. His research career has been dedicated to elucidating the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Awards for his work include a Zenith Award from the Alzheimer’s Association, the MetLife Award for Biomedical Research, and the Potamkin Prize from the American Academy of Neurology. His lab has been especially focused on the γ-secretase complex, a protease that plays central roles in Alzheimer pathogenesis.
The economic impact of catalysis is significant contributing 30–40% of global GDP. In this context, phase-transfer catalysis is a powerful manifold for asymmetric synthesis. Chiral cationic or anionic PTC strategies have enabled a variety of transformations, yet studies on the use of insoluble inorganic salts as nucleophiles for the synthesis of enantioenriched molecules have remained elusive. A long-standing challenge is the development of methods for asymmetric carbon–fluorine bond formation from cost-effective alkali metal fluorides.
Fluorochemicals quietly power our modern lives serving as medicines, agrochemicals and strategic materials including refrigerants, batteries and electronics. All fluorochemicals are prepared from — the now critical — mineral Fluorspar (CaF2). The first step of any synthesis is the conversion of Fluorspar to hydrogen fluoride (HF) upon treatment with H2SO4 at 300 °C, a process reported by Scheele in 1771. Highly toxic HF has caused serious accidents, some with fatal casualties and severe damage to the environment.
