Dean Toste

Research: Supramolecular Subgroup The supramolecular subgroup leverages the unique microenvironments of Raymond tetrahedrons to study fundamental host–guest interactions and develop new applications in catalysis and energy storage. Ongoing research explores photochemical reactivity within confined host environments, the design of novel host systems to probe structure–activity relationships, and mechanistic investigations aimed at elucidating the fundamental principles governing catalysis and molecular recognition. In collaboration with groups at UC Berkeley, LBNL, and other institutions, additional efforts focus on elucidating the theoretical basis of host–guest interactions and translating these findings into applications in electrochemistry, molecular capture, and materials chemistry. Bioconjugation Subgroup The bioconjugation subgroup develops novel bioconjugation methods targeting underutilized amino acid residues and functional groups within biomolecules with unprecedented levels of control over reactivity. In parallel with our in-house efforts in probe synthesis, design, and testing, our subgroup engages in extensive collaboration with translational research labs at UC Berkeley, other universities, and pharmaceutical companies (for example, to utilize our bioconjugation platforms for proteomics-based drug development). Additionally, we collaborate with leading computational groups for rational reagent design and to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of action of our platforms. Gold and Late Transition Metal Subgroup The gold subgroup leverages gold’s distinctive modes of reactivity both to deepen our fundamental understanding of organometallic chemistry and to access novel structural motifs. Our current research focuses on new platforms for enantioselective gold catalysis. By integrating strategic synthetic methods, kinetic and spectroscopic analyses, and computational modeling, we uncover gold’s unique reactivity patterns and translate those insights into new mechanistic paradigms and versatile synthetic tools. Electrochemistry Subgroup The electrochemistry subgroup takes a physical organic chemistry approach to developing new energy storage systems and electrosynthetic methodologies. Our subgroup is currently focused on (1) the synthesis of new redox-flow battery compounds, working to push the boundaries of cell voltage, stability, and capacity in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems (2) The extension of physical organic chemistry methods to energy storage and conversion systems beyond redox-flow batteries and (3) using electrosynthesis to achieve highly selective, sustainable chemical transformations which cannot be accessed using other means. Organocatalysis and Data Science Subgroup The organocatalysis subgroup designs chiral catalysts for organic transformations and models their performance using physical organic chemistry concepts. A major thrust is relating the activity of chiral Brønsted acid organocatalysts to structural descriptors using machine learning techniques, which we do collaboratively with other research groups across the country. We use these models to develop lead catalysts spanning a more diverse chemical space than what is accessible with traditional strategies.