Florence Williams

Florence Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Iowa. Her research spans boron chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and medicinal/mechanistic biological chemistry, with a focus on organic transformations and neurotrophic small molecules.

• Education: PhD from University of California, Irvine; BS from New York University

Research Interests:

• Boron-mediated organic transformations using Lewis acids for C-O bond cleavage
• Green and bioorthogonal cross-coupling with palladium catalysts in neutral protic conditions
• Investigation of neurotrophic small molecules for neurodegenerative disease treatments

Recent Research Trends: Publications emphasize boron trihalide reagents for biomass conversion and regioselective ether cleavage, aligning with sustainable organic synthesis and bioorganic applications.

Scientific Awards:

• Postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton University (2012-2015)

Laboratory: Williams Lab at the University of Iowa