Dr. Jeff Bandar, Colorado State

Host: Dr. VanVeller

Our group’s central goal is to discover new concepts in base-promoted reactivity as a means to advance synthetic chemistry. For example, while base-promoted reactions typically accomplish redox neutral transformations, such as the addition of pronucleophiles to electrophiles, we have identified general strategies for base-promoted oxidative and reductive coupling reactions. This talk will discuss the development of these strategies in the context of two methods: the oxidative coupling of arenes with nucleophiles and the reductive defluorinative coupling of trifluoromethylarenes with electrophiles. The mechanistic frameworks of these methods will be compared to traditional base-promoted protocols to demonstrate unique capabilities and broad synthetic potential.

Jeff grew up in Saint Cloud, MN, and received his B.A. from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN, in 2009. That year he began graduate studies with Tristan H. Lambert at Columbia University, where his research focused on the use of aromatic ions as design elements in catalysts, reactions, and polymeric materials. Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 2014, Jeff began postdoctoral studies with Stephen L. Buchwald at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, he advanced the use of copper catalysis for the enantioselective hydrofunctionalization of olefins. Jeff launched his independent research lab at Colorado State University in 2017, where his group is applying new concepts in acid-base chemistry towards the development of new synthetic methods. Several of Jeff’s recent recognitions include a Cottrell Scholar Award and CSU’s College of Natural Sciences Early Career Teaching and Mentoring Award.