Kimberly Fields
Contact Information
Department of Chemistry
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHE 205A
Tampa, FL 33620-5250
Lab: (813) 974-7392, BSF 363
Email: kfields@mail.usf.edu
Education
- 2006-present: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Dr. Zhang’s research group, SMMARTT program
- 2004-2006: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN; Dr. Zhang’s research group
- May 2004: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL; Dr. Miles’ research group
Professor: Peter Zhang
Research Areas
Functional Porphyrins: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Application
Biological systems are capable of mediating many important chemical and energy transformations that are challenging for non-biological systems. New catalytic systems for asymmetric organic synthesis are inspired by the extraordinary versatility and capability of heme and related enzymes. Biomimetic design and construction of metalloporphyrin-based artificial enzymes have proven successful in catalyzing several selective chemical transformations and mediate important chemical and energy transformations.
Current efforts include:
- Development of efficient catalytic systems for asymmetric atom/group transfer reactions, including hydroxylation, epoxidation, aziridination and cyclopropanation of alkenes, as well as amination and carbene insertion into C–H bonds. The utilization of these catalytic synthetic methods can then be applied to the selective conversion of inexpensive and abundant hydrocarbons into value-added functional molecules.
- Discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents through the screening of functionalized porphyrins and chiral compounds for potential applications as therapies for cancer (PhotoDynamic Therapy, PDT), malaria, and various neurodegenerative diseases.
- Biomimetic conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. Inspired by the process of photosynthesis that takes place within light-harvesting complexes in plants, efforts have been made to mimic nature’s energy harvesters through the construction of multiple porphyrin arrays. Solar energy applications may be possible due to the close structural relationship between plant bacteriochlorophylls and porphyrin arrays.
- Self-assembly of functionalized porphyrins through metal coordination to form Metal-Porphyrin Frameworks (MPFs). MPFs have been targeted for application as hydrogen storage materials. This method of approach starts with the synthesis of porphyrins that contain metal coordination units in the periphery.
Selected publications:
- Chen, Y.; Fields, K. B.; Zhang, X. P. "Bromoporphyrins as versatile synthons for modular construction of chiral porphyrins: cobalt-catalyzed highly enantioselective and diastereoselective cyclopropanation." J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126(45), 14718-14719.
- Gao, G.-Y.; Ruppel, J. V.; Fields, K. B.; Xu, X.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, X. P. "Synthesis of Diporphyrins via Palladium-Catalyzed C-O Bond Formation: Effective Access to Chiral Diporphyrins." J. Org. Chem., 2008, 73(13), 4855-4858.
- Gao, G.-Y.; Fields, K. B.; Huff, C. A.; Wood, H.G.; Zhang, X. P. "Synthesis of A3B Chiral Porphyrins via Pd-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation: Effective Access Utilizing Porphyrin Triflates." In Preparation, 2008.
