Postdoc, 2012-2014, Princeton University Ph.D. 2012, University of Wisconsin–Madison B.S. 2007, Fudan University

Organometallic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Our group focuses on solving long-standing problems in organic synthesis and sustainable energy research. We seek to provide strategically creative solutions through the development of transition metal catalysts. The rational design of catalysts is based on a thorough understanding of reaction mechanism. Driven by synthetic applications, we also synthesize and characterize new organometallic complexes with the goal of elucidating fundamental principles of molecular bonding.

Bimetallic, High-Valent Nickel Complexes: Ni–Ni Bonds in Aryl–Halogen Bond Formation Diccianni, J. B.; Hu, C.; Diao, T., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. [Just Accepted, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201611572]. Structure and Isotope Effects of the β-H Agostic (α-Diimine)Nickel Cation as a Polymerization Intermediate Xu, H.; White, P. B.; Hu, C.; Diao, T., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 1535-1538. N−N Bond Forming Reductive Elimination via a Mixed-Valent Nickel(II)-Nickel(III) Intermediate Diccianni, J. B.; Hu, C.; Diao, T., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 7534-7538. Bimetallic C–C Bond-Forming Reductive Elimination from Nickel Xu, H.; Diccianni, J. B.; Katigbak, J.; Hu, C.;Zhang, Y.; Diao, T., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 4779-4786. Schuster, C. H.; Diao, T.; Pappas, I.; Chirik, P. J., “Bench-Stable, Substrate-Activated Cobalt Carboxylate Pre-Catalysts for Alkene Hydrosilylation with Tertiary Silanes” ACS Catalysis 2016, 2632-2636. Palmer, W. N.; Diao, T.; Pappas, I.; Chirik, P. J., “High-Activity Cobalt Catalysts for Alkene Hydroboration with Electronically Responsive Terpyridine and α-Diimine Ligands” ACS Catalysis 2015, 5, 622-626. Atienza, C. C. H.; Diao, T.; Weller, K. J.; Nye, S. A.; Lewis, K. M.; Delis, J. G. P.; Boyer, J. L.; Roy, A. K.; Chirik, P. J. “Bis(imino)pyridine Cobalt-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Silylation of Alkenes: Scope, Mechanism, and Origins of Selective Allylsilane Formation” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 12108-12118. Diao, T.; Stahl, S. S. “O2-promoted Allylic Acetoxylation of Akenes: Assessment of ‘‘Push’’ versus ‘‘Pull’’ Mechanisms and Comparison Between O2 and Benzoquinone” Polyhedron 2014, 84, 96-102.