Alex Speed

Background

About Alex Speed

I head a young research group at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that develops new catalysts and reagents for organic synthesis, primarily employing main group elements. We focus on the chemistry of phosphorus, boron, and sulfur. We have developed asymmetric hydroboration and hydrosilation catalysts based on phosphorus compounds that are readily prepared in three steps from commercial materials. We are currently working on more asymmetric group transfer reactions. I am enthusiastic about providing a high quality education in organic chemistry, with an emphasis on problem solving, while making discoveries that will simplify chemical manufacturing by reducing chemical waste. My educational background is in the area of total synthesis. During my PhD education at Harvard with David A. Evans I was exposed to modern stereoselective organic synthesis in the context of the total synthesis of peloruside A, and efforts towards the total synthesis of spiroprorocentrimine. During my postdoctoral stay at Boston College with Amir Hoveyda, I have gained experience in the intricacies of molybdenum complex mediated olefin metathesis, and employed this methodology in the total synthesis of the natural product disorazole C1.