Ma, Bin2019-08-1920052005b25833704https://hdl.handle.net/2144/37165Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.The combination COX2/ligand/reducing agent/Lewis acid generates effective catalysts for the transition metal catalyzed [4+2+2] homo Diels-Alder reactions of norbornadienes with butadienes, leading to a new system which is highly effective at room temperature: CoI 2 /dppe/Zn/ZnI 2 . This catalyst shows broad functional group tolerance over a range of norbornadienes, and selectivity over other pathways such as butadiene polymerization and norbornadiene oligomerization. The Lewis acid effect in these cobalt-catalyzed [4+2+2] cycloadditions has also been probed.en-USCopyright by BIN MA 2005.ChemistryThesis/Dissertation1171902286748799192475970001161