Professor David Martin

Professor David Martin
University of Iowa
Abstract

New Strategies for Photocatalytic Bond Activation and Limonoid Synthesis

The activation of strong chemical bonds remains an important strategy for the conversion of abundant chemical feedstocks to value-added products. Photocatalysis continues to offer new methods for the activation of C–H, C–C and C–X bonds. We have developed photocatalytic C–H bond activation methods for the direct functionalization of hydrocarbons and other simple substrates, which led to the discovery of wavelength-selective catalytic behavior of some iron-based catalysts. We are also investigating the use of cobalt- and iron-catalyzed reactions for the functionalization of C–O bonds. Recent advances in the synthesis of neuroprotective limonoid natural products and biological probes will also be discussed.

Dave Martin

Dave received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and spent 1 year as a medicinal chemist at Merck-Frosst in Montreal. In 2011, Dave obtained his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine where he worked with Prof. Chris Vanderwal on the application of Zincke aldehydes toward the synthesis of Strychnos alkaloids, including a short synthesis of strychnine. After pursuing post- doctoral research in the lab of Prof. Dave MacMillan in the area photoredox catalysis, Dave spent five years at the University of California, Riverside before moving to the University of Iowa in 2019. In 2022, he was promoted to associate professor with tenure. His main research interests are in developing new catalytic reactions, the synthesis of bioactive natural products and investigating their mechanism of action.

Hosted by Professors Christopher Douglas & Alexander Grenning