News & Events

When

Date - February 27, 2015
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

What

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNCG

“Towards the Ideal Synthesis: Discovery and Design of New Reactions”

Abstract:

In order to approach the ideal synthesis, my research group is focused on reducing the number of steps required to synthesize molecules.  To optimally do so, we are 1) designing new reactions that add significant molecular complexity to the molecules, 2) using function-oriented synthesis to simplify structures without sacrificing the activity of the molecule, and 3) using late-stage diversification to produce more analogues in a more rapid fashion.  Towards these ends, I will first be presenting some of our results to generate cyanocarbenes from alkynes and azides.  I will also present my groups’ synthesis of clinprost, which utilized all three of these step-saving approaches, in addition to some fortuitous reaction discovery, to yield the shortest synthesis of clinprost and its analogues.