Kevin M. Smith
B.Sc. (1992) University of Toronto
Ph.D. (1998) University of British Columbia
Contact Information
Dr. Kevin M. Smith
Department of Chemistry
University of British Columbia Okanagan
3333 University Way
Kelowna, British Columbia
CANADA V1V 1V7
Office: Fipke 351
Tel: 250.807.9933
Fax: 250.807.8005
E-mail: kevin.m.smith@ubc.ca
Research Interests
Dr. Smith's research is focused on the synthesis and reactivity of paramagnetic organometallic chromium catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. First-row transition metal complexes are attractive alternatives to more expensive noble metal catalysts, especially when they exhibit complementary modes of reactivity. Recent work in the Smith group has investigated the use of well-defined Cr(II) complexes with tunable ancillary ligands to control the reactivity of carbon-based radicals. Establishing the structure-activity relationships for metal-mediated single-electron reactions is an important step towards the rational design of improved C–C bond forming catalysts based on chromium and other first-row transition metals.
Graduate Students
Positions are currently available for graduate study (MSc and PhD) in the Smith research group. Interested individuals with strong academic backgrounds are encouraged to contact Prof. Smith for additional information; please include a resume/CV and an unofficial academic transcript. Further information about graduate study in Chemistry can be found on the UBO Okanagan College of Graduate Studies website.
Undergraduate Students
For the 2012/2013 academic year, possible undergraduate Honours research projects available in the Smith group include:
(a) Addition of carbon-based radicals to chromium-bound ligands,
(b) Chromium reagents for prenylation of tryptophan derivatives,
(c) Well-defined complexes of earth-abundant transition metals for catalytic lignin valorization.
Senior UBC Okanagan B.Sc. students in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Environmental Chemistry who are interested in going on to graduate studies at UBC or elsewhere are particularly encouraged to contact Kevin Smith for more details on these and other projects.
Recent Publications
1) K. C. MacLeod, J. L. Conway, L. Tang, J. J. Smith, L. D. Corcoran, K. H. D. Ballem, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Reactivity Consequences of Steric Reduction in Chromium Cyclopentadienyl Beta-Diketiminate Complexes" Organometallics 2009, 28, 6798-6806.
2) Y. Champouret, K. C. MacLeod, U. Baisch, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith,* R. Poli* "Cyclopentadienyl Chromium Beta-Diketiminate Complexes: Initiators, Ligand Steric Effects, and Deactivation Processes in the Controlled Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate" Organometallics 2010, 29, 167-176.
3) K. M. Smith, W. S. McNeil, A. S. Abd-El-Aziz* "Organometallic-Mediated Radical Polymerization: Developing Well-Defined Complexes for Reversible Transition Metal–Alkyl Bond Homolysis" Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2010, 211, 10-16.
4) Y. Champouret, K. C. MacLeod, K. M. Smith, B. O. Patrick, R. Poli* "Controlled Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate with Cyclopentadienyl Chromium Beta-Diketiminate Complexes: ATRP vs OMRP" Organometallics 2010, 29, 3125-3132.
5) W. Zhou, J. A. Therrien, D. L. K. Wence, E. N. Yallits, J. L. Conway, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Cyclopentadienyl Mesityl Complexes of Chromium(II) and Chromium(III)" Dalton Transactions 2011, 40, 337-339.
6) K. C. MacLeod, J. L. Conway, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Exploring Chromium(III)–Alkyl Bond Homolysis with CpCr[(ArNCMe)2CH](R) Complexes" Journal of the American Chemical Society 2010, 132, 17325-17334.
7) W. Zhou, L. Tang, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Electronic Effects in the Oxidative Addition of Iodomethane with Mixed-Aryl Beta-Diketiminate Chromium(II) Complexes" Organometallics 2011, 30, 603-610.
8) K. C. MacLeod, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Chromium-Catalyzed Radical Cyclization of Bromo and Chloro Acetals" Organometallics 2010, 29, 6639-6641.
9) K. C. MacLeod, B. O. Patrick, K. M. Smith* "Reactivity of Cr(III) µ-Oxo Compounds: Catalyst Regeneration and Atom Transfer Processes" Inorganic Chemistry 2012, 51, 688-700.
10) W. Zhou, L. Chiang, B. O. Patrick, T. Storr,* K. M. Smith* "Cyclopentadienyl chromium diimine and pyridine imine complexes: ligand-based radicals and metal-based redox chemistry" Dalton Transactions 2012, in press; DOI:10.1039/C2DT30160A. (invited contribution to special issue "New Talent: the Americas").
Last reviewed 
4/26/2012 12:55:35 PM
