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Research interests

Our research involves the development, the optimization and the mechanistic understanding of a range of organic transformations, but especially cyclization reactions and tandem processes, as well as the application of these transformations to the synthesis of complex organic molecules.

Selected awards and honours

• Dalhousie Alumni Association Award for Teaching Excellence, 2010
• Dalhousie Student Union Teaching Award, 2007
• Faculty of Science Killam Professorship, 2004-2009
• Newfoundland and Labrador Medal for Bravery, 2001
• Memorial University President's Award for Outstanding Research, 1991

Selected publications

• "Computational Examination of (4+3) versus (3+2) Cycloaddition in the Interception of Nazarov Reactions of Allenyl Vinyl Ketones by Dienes." Zhe Li, Russell J. Boyd, and D. Jean Burnell. (Journal of Organic Chemistry,Ìý2015,Ìý80,Ìý12535‒12544.) 
• "Density Functional Theory Study of BF₃-Mediated Additions of Enols and [(Trimethylsilyl)oxy]alkenes to an Oxyallyl Cation: Homologous Mukaiyama Reactions." Luc M. LeBlanc, Russell J. Boyd, and D. Jean Burnell. (Journal of Physical Chemistry A,Ìý2015,Ìý119,Ìý6714‒6722.)
• "Nazarov Reactions Intercepted by (4+3)-Cycloadditions with Oxygen-Substituted Dienes." François M. LeFort, Vinayak Mishra, Graham D. Dexter, Timothy D. R. Morgan, and D. Jean Burnell. (Journal of Organic Chemistry,Ìý2015,Ìý80, 5877‒5886.)
• "Two Rearrangement Pathways in the Geminal Acylation of 2-Methoxyoxazolidines Leading to Substituted [1,4]Oxazines." Jonathan R. Moulins, Jeremy A. Hughes, Lauren E. Doyle, T. Stanley Cameron, and D. Jean Burnell. (European Journal of Organic Chemistry,Ìý2015, 1325‒1332.)