Michael additions utilizing transition-metal-catalysts, Scope and limitations

Sammanfattning: The effect that organic solvents have on the environment and the intrinsic risk that come with using them should be limited. By replacing organic solvents with less harmful solvents, such as water, and with more effective catalysts can risks intrinsic to organic solvents be minimized or eliminated. The focus of this project is testing if Michael addition using transition metal salt catalysts with Zr or Hf are viable. Several conditions were tested to determine the optimal conditions. With limited time for testing conditions were the best result found to not use solvent. Tests performed gave insight into the limitations of the catalyst. Limitations such as solidification, unwanted side product and what methods are not applicable for quantification. This has given insight into what conditions and methods that should be avoided or circumvented can be used for future studies.