Reactions of Lithium Carbenoids, Lithium Enolates, and Mixed Aggregates

This chemical science project will use ab initio and density functional theory methods to investigate the structure and reactions of some important organolithium compounds. These include lithium enolates, which are among the most important reagents for forming carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis. Detailed reaction mechanisms for these compounds remain unknown, and may involve several reactive species. This will lead to a better understanding of the reaction pathways and to alter the reactions by way of mixed aggregates with other lithium compounds.