David Glueck, with an emphasis on the synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphine ligands for asymmetric catalysis. He is currently a National Research Council (NRC) postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Benjamin Harvey at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in China Lake, CA, USA. His research interests include the synthesis of small molecules with applications in fuels, materials, and catalysis. Benjamin G. Harvey received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Utah, USA, in 2005, studying with Professor Richard D. Ernst. He is now a Senior Research Chemist at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division located in China Lake, CA. His current research focuses on the utilization of bio-based substrates for the preparation of advanced materials and the development of hybrid synthetic routes that combine chemical catalysis with synthetic biology. Specific interests include advanced alternative fuels for jet, missile, and rocket propulsion, bio-based high-temperature thermosetting resins, biocomposites, lubricants, and green solvents.

Nucleophilic substitution results in inversion of configuration at the electrophilic carbon center (S 2) or racemization (S 1). The stereochemistry of the nucleophile is rarely considered, but phosphines, which have a high barrier to pyramidal inversion, attack electrophiles with retention of configuration at P. Surprisingly, cyclization of bifunctional secondary phosphine alkyl tosylates proceeded under mild conditions with inversion of configuration at the nucleophile to yield P-stereogenic syn-phosphiranes. DFT studies suggested that the novel stereochemistry results from acid-promoted tosylate dissociation to yield an intermediate phosphenium-bridged cation, which undergoes syn-selective cyclization.

Petroleumh as dominated the energy landscape and transportation sector for more than ac entury. However,s imilar to a cresting, powerful wave, new green technologiesa re providing efficient pathways to bio-based cycloalkanes that will supplement and eventually supplant petroleum-based jet fuel. In the cover designw ed epict the coming "green wave" of high-performance sustainable jet fuels.