Bases inorganic base-promoted activation

Inorganic Base-Promoted Activation of Acidic Organic Compounds... 

Bob s research interests and knowledge across chemistry were great. Throughout his career he retained an interest in biomimetic chemistry, specifically the study of metal ion-promoted reactions and reactions of molecules activated by metal ion coordination. His early interests in carbohydrate chemistry inspired him to study metal ion catalysis of both peptide formation and hydrolysis as well as studies in inorganic reaction mechanisms. He was particularly interested in the mechanisms of base-catalyzed hydrolysis within metal complexes and the development of the so-called dissociative conjugate-base (DCB) mechanism for base-catalyzed substitution reactions at inert d6 metal ions such as Co(III). 

Many reactions in organic synthesis are reactions of nucleophiles and electrophiles, in other words they are acid-base reactions. Usually, the nucleophilicity or the electrophilicity of a substrate is enhanced by strong acid or base to promote a reaction. However, a reaction can be also promoted when weak acid and base activate both a nucleophile and an electrophile at the same time. In a homogeneous medium, acid and base could not coexist because of neutralization. Therefore, it is not expected to promote a reaction by acid and base cooperation. However, acid and base supported on an inorganic solid make it possible to promote a reaction by acid and base cooperation. 

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