Trapping reactive intermediates to create new catalysts
Official title: Trapping reactive intermediates and their application towards catalysis
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11450786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers at Harvard are studying how metal-ligand complexes can mimic natural enzymes to selectively modify unactivated carbon-hydrogen bonds, with potential to make better chemical catalysts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,348 |
| NIH project number | 2R01GM145752-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient participation for this grant (basic chemical catalysis research).
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct patient benefits or patient involvement in this non-clinical study.
What this research studies
This project aims to design and study metal-ligand complexes that resemble monooxygenase enzymes, enabling controlled oxygen transfer to strong C–H bonds. By creating and characterizing nitrene and oxo functional groups in synthetic systems, the work seeks to understand reaction pathways and develop new catalytic methods. The ultimate goal is to convert inexpensive hydrocarbon feedstocks into useful chemical building blocks, including pharmaceutical precursors, using biologically-inspired principles. The research is conducted at Harvard under the leadership of Theodore A. Betley and focuses on fundamental chemistry with potential applications in sustainable synthesis. The approach combines synthesis, physical characterization, and mechanistic exploration to map how electronic structure tuning drives selectivity and reactivity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new, more efficient catalysts for transforming simple hydrocarbons into valuable chemicals, which may impact pharmaceuticals and materials.
How similar studies have gone: Similar bio-inspired catalytic approaches have shown promise in enabling selective C–H activations and novel transformations.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Betley, Theodore a — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Betley, Theodore a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.