Research – Waterman Research Group

Research in the Waterman Group addresses problems in synthesis, catalysis, materials, and energy through the application of organometallic systems. These efforts are directed at the discovery of new synthetic methods in the main group, the preparation of novel materials, and development of efficient or “green” syntheses through catalysis.

I. BOND-FORMING CATALYSIS

A major and on-going theme in the group is bond-forming catalysis. In recent years, we have had a great deal of success in hydrophosphination, providing routine access to challenging substrates with simple and widely available catalysts. Likewise, we have provided increased access to N-Si dehydrocoupling products with commercially available catalysts. Thematically, we aim to push boundaries with new reactivity, greater activity, and greater mechanistic understanding. In some cases, these studies have branched into exploring the commercial viability of our processes.

We focus on main group elements, most often elements like phosphorus, arsenic, silicon, and germanium, and work at the intersection of that chemistry with applications to organic and materials synthesis. Our aim with new catalysts is to start from a point of sustainability. Therefore, we are focused on more abundant metals and reactions that may alleviate pressure on strained metal resources.

These efforts have brought us to collaborations with an excellent global community of researchers form countries such as France, Germany, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom, among others. UVM students have been able to perform research at the laboratories of some of our partners, and we have been fortunate to host some of our international partners in Vermont.

II. NEW BAND GAP MATERIALS

Using simple main-group molecules as precursors, we have achieved low-energy preparations of several known, rare, and new band-gap materials in bulk. We are currently expending the syntheses of these materials and applying these to challenges in catalysis.

III. ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT REACTIVITY

We are developing chemistries, enabled by catalysis, to address several acute issues in environmental remediation. In this work, we are targeting challenging substrates

IV. THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE

We have been partnering with colleagues in the College of Education and Social Services to help per- and in-service science teachers in Vermont and beyond, through a variety of programs including a Noyce Scholarship Program at UVM. These efforts connect with a long-standing effort to help new chemistry faculty members through the ACS New Faculty Workshop that was started in a partnership between Rory Waterman and Andrew Feig in 2011. We have continued to enable research for students both at UVM through the ACS Project SEED and AEOP Internship Program but also in the develop of strategies that help student have access like Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs.

RESEARCH SUPPORT

Research in the Waterman Group is/has been generously supported by a number of agencies through grants and awards. We are grateful to all current and past funders for their generous support.

U. S. National Science Foundation (currently through CHE-2101766 & TI- 2329625)
American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (grant number 66511-ND10)
Research Corporation for Science Advancement through Cottrell Scholar Collaborative Awards to support efforts in fostering diversity and improving equity in science