July 2019: Zackary Gregg

Zackary Gregg, 4th-year Ph.D. student in Prof. Diver's group

First author publication:

• Zackary R. Gregg, Justin R. Griffiths and Steven T. Diver, "Conformational Control of Initiation Rate in Hoveyda–Grubbs Precatalysts", Organometallics, 2018, 37, 1526-1533. This work evaluating the use of conformational control to modify the initiation rates of Hoveyda-Grubbs type metathesis catalysts was also featured on the cover of the May 29, 2018 issue of Organometallics. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.organomet.8b00041

I am currently preparing, developing novel titration methods for, and assessing the reactivity of solid-supported isocyanide-based metal scavengers for rapid removal of transition metal complexes from solution. These materials are useful in the lab for both arresting transition metal catalysts and removing the toxic – and sometimes detrimentally reactive – metal complexes from solution via filtration.

Working as a PhD student at UB has been an excellent experience since I have been able to perform research in many subdisciplines, such as organometallic catalyst development, materials synthesis, and developing novel analytical methods through both classical and modern organic chemistry. Additionally, working as a teaching assistant for three different courses and as a graduate assistant in the NMR center have allowed me to greatly increase my knowledge and scope as a chemist.

In my free time I am usually cycling or spending time with my dog and girlfriend.