This thesis presents detailed mechanistic studies on a series of important C-H activation reactions using combined computational methods and mass spectrometry experiments. It also provides guidance on the design and improvement of catalysts and ligands. The reactions investigated include: (i) a nitrile-containing template-assisted meta-selective C-H activation, (ii) Pd/mono-N-protected amino acid (MPAA) catalyzed meta-selective C-H activation, (iii) Pd/MPAA catalyzed asymmetric C-H activation reactions, and (iv) Cu-catalyzed sp3 C-H cross-dehydrogenative-coupling reaction.

The book reports on a novel dimeric Pd-M (M = Pd or Ag) model for reaction (i), which successfully explains the meta-selectivity observed experimentally. For reaction (ii), with a combined DFT/MS method, the author successfully reveals the roles of MPAA ligands and a new C-H activation mechanism, which accounts for the improved reactivity and high meta-selectivity and opens new avenues for ligand design. She subsequently applies ion-mobility mass spectrometry to capture and separate the [Pd(MPAA)(substrate)] complex at different stages for the first time, providing support for the internal-base model for reaction (iii). Employing DFT studies, she then establishes a chirality relay model that can be widely applied to MPAA-assisted asymmetric C-H activation reactions. Lastly, for reaction (iv) the author conducts detailed computational studies on several plausible pathways for Cu/O2 and Cu/TBHP systems and finds a reliable method for calculating the single electron transfer (SET) process on the basis of benchmark studies.

Nominated as an outstanding PhD thesis by Peking University Combines ion mobility mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to investigate reaction mechanisms in catalysis Provides mechanistic insights for a broad range of important C-H activation reactions Establishes a universal chirality-relay model for Pd/mono-N-protected amino acid (MPAA)-catalyzed asymmetric C-H activation reactions Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction.- Mechanistic Studies on meta-C-H Activation Reaction.- Mechanistic Studies on MPAA-assisted meta-C-H Activation Reaction.- Mechanistic Studies on MPAA-assisted Asymmetric C-H Activation Reaction.- Mechanistic Studies on Cu-catalyzed sp 3 C-H Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reaction.- Conclusions and Outlook.