The Talk: We have initiated a program to explore the use of organolanthanides and group 3 organometallics in selective organic synthesis. Outlined in the talk are several areas of interest we have targeted for study. Because all of the synthetic organic chemistry is critically dependent upon ready access to potential organometallic catalysts, an inherent aim of the research is to synthesize, isolate, and fully characterize diverse organometallic complexes deemed suitable for effecting a particular desired organic transformation.

Cyclization of polyenes and enynes provides an extremely efficient means to generate carbocycles and heterocycles from relatively simple acyclic starting materials. The ultimate goal of these studies is to provide annulative procedures that not only convert simple acyclic substrates to cyclized materials with high selectivity, but also leave the final product functionalized for further transformations. This has been accomplished by a cyclization/silylation process that forms new carbon-carbon bonds and carbon-silicon bonds in a one-pot, "atom economic" process.

Although early studies utilized catalysts that were extremely air-sensitive, requiring glove-box or Schlenck techniques, most recently we have discovered a novel class of catalysts that are amazingly air stable. Consequently, we can now perform many of these reactions utilizing bench-top techniques familiar to synthetic organic chemists for the handling of modestly sensitive materials like organolithiums and organomagnesiums.

The Speaker: Dr. Molander is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania having arrived there in 1999. He was at the University of Colorado, Boulder from 1981-1999. He received his PhD from Purdue working with Dr. Herbert C. Brown. He then did postdoctoral work with Dr. Brown and also Dr. Barry M. Trost at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His BS degree was earned with Distinction from Iowa State University where he did research with Professor Richard C. Larock. He was awarded the ACS Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award in 1998. He was an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellow from 1987-1991 and has be awarded numerous other fellowships. He is a member of Sigma XI, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Phi Eta Sigma Honorary Societies and has been a Visiting Professor throughout the world.

Directions to Frog Rock Country Club in Hammonton [420 Boyer Ave] near Kessler Hospital off White Horse Pike

From the North going south on US 30 (White Horse Pike):
The Kessler Hospital will be on the right side, make a left at the light, then a right at the stop sign, then make a left on to Pleasant Mills Rd [542]. Take the next right at Boyer Ave to the restaurant on the left side.

From the South going North on US 30 (White Horse Pike):
The Kessler Hospital will be on the left side, make a right at the light, then a right at the stop sign, then make a left onto Pleasant Mills Rd [542]. Take the next right at Boyer Ave to the restaurant on the left side.

Dinner will be a buffet which will include meatless pasta, chicken, vegetables, potato dish, salad bar.

Cost: $15 members and guests, $10 students

Reservation by Thursday Oct 12

Donna D'Emilio (856) 256-4855 or 256-4856
Michael Casner (856) 384-7048
Jim Gleeson (856) 224-294