Kenneth W. Henderson » Image Gallery

A centerpiece of our reagent studies has been an investigation into the utility of magnesium bisamides, (R₂N)₂Mg, as alternatives to the widely used lithium amides, R₂NLi, as strong bases in synthesis. In many instances these new reagents outperform existing methods and also have distinct advantages due to their simple preparation, low cost, and ease of use. The scheme above summarizes the use of these reagents in a set of benchmark reactions: (i) regioselective enolizations, (ii) stereoselective enolizations, (iii) aldol additions, and (iv) enantioselective deprotonations. For recent additons to this chemistry see: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 13599.

Contact Information

• Professor and Associate Department Chair
• Office: 385 Stepan
• Phone: 574.631.8025
• Contact by Email

Primary Research Areas

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Research Specialties

• Materials Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Synthetic Chemistry

Lab Personnel

• Jeffrey A. Bertke
• Katherine L. Hull
• Erin R. Hurley
• Jeffrey Rood
• Mounia Sacha
• Eric Guardino
  undergraduate

Courses

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Effective Scientific Presentations