Alexander Knieb

Advisor: Prof. G. K. Surya Prakash

Fluoroalkylation Chemistry

• Ability to work efficiently and manage multiple collaborative projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Development of novel methodologies for incorporation of molecular scaffolds of pharmaceutical interest

- Phosphonodifluoromethylation of Arylboronic Acids

- Monofluoromethylation of Aryliodonium Salts

- Phosphonodifluoromethylation of Acyl Chlorides and

Chloroformates

- Development of safer alternative for in-situ

CF3I-synthesis

• Experienced in small molecule synthesis from mmol to mol scale
• Mentored high school students and guided younger PhD students through their first years of their PhD studies
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities while managing multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines without sacrificing quality or accuracy
• Taught General Chemistry Labs for 2 semesters
• Taught Organic Chemistry Labs for 1 semester
• Assistant Lecturer for Organic Chemistry with over 200 students
• Instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting biotage flash column chromatograph, GC-MS, NMR instrument, biotage microwave reactor
• Followed school and classroom policies, regulations, dress codes, and schedules

Received comprehensive training in various research topics as part of my Master’s studies, including:

• Synthesis of chiral organic ligands for metal complexes
• Photocatalyzed iridium mediated 1,2-functionalization of unactivated alkenes for 1,2-aminoborylation, 1,2-hydroamination and 1,2-chloroamination
• Utilization of hypervalent iodine reagents for direct fluorination reactions
• Design of organocatalysts for kinetic dynamic resolution
• Presentation of research updates in weekly group meetings
• Data validation through various competition and control experiments
• Reduced production costs through the design and synthesis of novel, cost-effective materials.

Advisor: Prof. G. K. Surya Prakash

Small Molecule Synthesis and Fluoroalkylation Chemistry

• Synthesis of novel fluoroalkylation reagents (CF3I, fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methane and CF2-containing phosphonates)
• Development of new transition metal catalyzed reactions with earth-abundant metals - Nickel and Copper mediated reactions
• Experience in small molecule synthesis, purification, and characterization
• Recorded data from research to allow for accurate analysis
• Performed scientific research on multiple projects

• Advisor: Prof. Dr. Fabian Dielmann
• Organometallic chemistry methodology development
• Strong hands on experience in small molecule characterization: NMR, MS, IR, X-ray crystallography
• Synthesis of electron-rich bipyridines
• Synthesis of transition metal complexes (Ni, Fe, Ga, and Ru-complexes)
• Activation of small molecules (H2 and CO2)
• Presented research progress in weekly group meetings

Thesis Title: Electron-rich Bipyridines as cooperative Ligands in Transition Metal Chemistry