Project:	Alkylation Alkanes Using Alkanes
Disciplines:	Chemistry, specialty in organic or inorganic chemistry desirable
Mentor:	Kurtis Carsch, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, (CCE), kcarsch@utexas.edu, Phone: https://cm.utexas.edu/component/cobalt/i
Mentor URL:	469-569-6651  (opens in new window)
Background:	NOTE: This project is being offered by a Caltech SURF alum and is open only to Caltech students. The project will be conducted at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. The transformation of abundant light alkanes directly into value-added products such as pharmaceuticals, feedstocks, and polymers would revolutionize sustainability in synthesis. For instance, the homologation of methane into ethane would yield a higher value product that is both easier to transport and more amenable for elaboration to products such as polyethylene. Similarly, the design principles of small molecule functionalization are translatable for the late-stage functionalization of complex bio-active molecules. Frustratingly, the high bond strengths of C–H bonds renders such activation challenging with facile overfunctionalization, thus necessitating harsh conditions with ample chemical waste. Inspired by bioinorganic metalloenzymes which undergo quantitative C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond formation, we envision tandem transformations to generate alkyl fragment from light hydrocarbons, followed by radical–radical coupling to produce the desired products. Such a transformation can be viewed as the homologation of alkanes to produce longer chain alkanes.
Description:	For this research, students will learn about the synthesis of reactive organometallic complexes and understand approaches to rationally control the strength of metal–carbon bonds for alkylation catalysis. Students will learn about the fundamentals of catalysis and how to conduct air-free manipulations of reactive intermediates, using both Schlenk line and glovebox manipulations. In addition, students will further learn about the characterization of molecular complexes (e.g., SCXRD, IR, CV, NMR) and how to perform structure-function studies based on a detailed understanding of the underlying electronic structure. Students will gain a solid grasp of the relevant literature, both through independent reading and through weekly conversations with the advisor. Students will further learn how to interpret data and conduct appropriate structure-function relationships to unveil systematic trends, allowing for rational optimization from large sets of data.
References:	• J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 5305 • J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 23, 10361 • Science 2016, 351, 1424
Student Requirements:	Strongly recommended: Ch1ab, Ch41abc Recommended: Ch102, Ch112 Helpful: Ch153, Ch154 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS As of winter 2025, I am a new Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UT Austin, building a research program at the interface of catalysis and chemical separations. I received a joint BS/MS from Caltech (2016, chemistry), where I conducted research with Bill Goddard (computational) and Theo Agapie (synthetic inorganic), conducting multiple SURFs during my studies. My undergraduate studies were followed by a Hertz-supported PhD at Harvard with Ted Betley (Harvard, inorganic) and a Beckman-supported postdoc at UC Berkeley with Jeff Long (Berkeley, materials). My broad interests align with energy-efficient transformations (e.g., C–H functionalization of basic building blocks), decarbonization/carbon capture, and synthesizing molecules of unusual electronic structures with built-in metal–ligand instability. Please reach out at kcarsch@utexas.edu if you have any questions!
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF    Caltech students only  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.