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Polarity inversion of conjugate acceptors: New opportunities in catalysis. Conjugate acceptors are common chemicals that are readily available from petrochemical and biomass feedstocks. While they are used extensively to build functional materials, including polymers and medicines, the reactions that they can engage in are largely limited to those exploiting their natural reactivity. In this project, catalysis will be used to allow these ubiquitous building blocks to react in entirely new ways. ....Polarity inversion of conjugate acceptors: New opportunities in catalysis. Conjugate acceptors are common chemicals that are readily available from petrochemical and biomass feedstocks. While they are used extensively to build functional materials, including polymers and medicines, the reactions that they can engage in are largely limited to those exploiting their natural reactivity. In this project, catalysis will be used to allow these ubiquitous building blocks to react in entirely new ways. In doing so new chemical reactions will be discovered that convert simple building blocks into sophisticated fine chemicals. The potential utility of the products is diverse and will enable future applications in fields focused on the preparation of functional materials. Read moreRead less
Extending the frontiers of organocatalysis: new reactions involving nucleophilic carbenes. High technology solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow require new materials designed for specific activities. This project will deliver new technologies for the rapid and efficient assembly of materials designed for function.
Challenges to organocatalysis. This project aims to use organocatalysis to generate organocatalytic C=C insertion, C-H functionalisation and carbonyl ylide/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Organocatalysis has transformed the way chemical synthesis is performed. However, in the early years the focus of this discipline has primarily been enolate type chemistry, and more challenging reactions, such as those involving carbenoid intermediates, have not been contemplated. Previously such reactions ....Challenges to organocatalysis. This project aims to use organocatalysis to generate organocatalytic C=C insertion, C-H functionalisation and carbonyl ylide/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Organocatalysis has transformed the way chemical synthesis is performed. However, in the early years the focus of this discipline has primarily been enolate type chemistry, and more challenging reactions, such as those involving carbenoid intermediates, have not been contemplated. Previously such reactions have only been achieved using transition metal catalysts. This project addresses this limitation, allowing the strengths of organocatalysis (abundance and diversity, access to enantiopurity, elemental sustainability) to affect the broader landscape of catalysis. This approach could present an opportunity to examine reactivity patterns, stereoselectivity and cascade design and may lead to new reaction technologies.Read moreRead less
Lessons From Nature: Late Stage Oxidation in Total Synthesis. This project aims to achieve the chemical synthesis of a number of biologically active novel natural products. The key aspect is the application of chemistry inspired by Nature to deliver molecular complexity in a rapid fashion which would allow for the production of molecules otherwise unavailable in sufficient quantities from the natural sources. This research will utilize late stage oxidation of intermediates to provide ready acces ....Lessons From Nature: Late Stage Oxidation in Total Synthesis. This project aims to achieve the chemical synthesis of a number of biologically active novel natural products. The key aspect is the application of chemistry inspired by Nature to deliver molecular complexity in a rapid fashion which would allow for the production of molecules otherwise unavailable in sufficient quantities from the natural sources. This research will utilize late stage oxidation of intermediates to provide ready access to complex molecules. The main goal is the development of new chemical and biological catalysts for further application in organic synthesis with a view to the production of new medicinal agents and important materials.Read moreRead less
New Reaction Cascades Exploiting N-Heterocyclic Carbenes. Catalytic reactions can enhance the efficiency of chemical synthesis, decreasing environmental and financial cost. This project will undertake the discovery and development of reactions in which a catalyst enables a "production line" of events to provide complex and valuable products. These reactions will proceed with high shape selectivity (enantioselectivity). In addition to new chemical transformations the output of these studies inclu ....New Reaction Cascades Exploiting N-Heterocyclic Carbenes. Catalytic reactions can enhance the efficiency of chemical synthesis, decreasing environmental and financial cost. This project will undertake the discovery and development of reactions in which a catalyst enables a "production line" of events to provide complex and valuable products. These reactions will proceed with high shape selectivity (enantioselectivity). In addition to new chemical transformations the output of these studies includes intellectual capital and human resources, all of which are integral to sustaining a strong chemical manufacturing sector.Read moreRead less
Ring-Strain Relief: Applications in Total Synthesis. This proposal aims to investigate the chemical synthesis of a number of structurally different natural product target molecules by strategies involving the use of either three or four membered ring-strained compounds to afford key synthetic intermediates in an efficient manner. The key aim of this research is to provide more efficient routes to complex natural products and analogues. The research strives to be at the forefront of modern synthe ....Ring-Strain Relief: Applications in Total Synthesis. This proposal aims to investigate the chemical synthesis of a number of structurally different natural product target molecules by strategies involving the use of either three or four membered ring-strained compounds to afford key synthetic intermediates in an efficient manner. The key aim of this research is to provide more efficient routes to complex natural products and analogues. The research strives to be at the forefront of modern synthetic organic chemistry and aims to contribute to the Science of complex molecule synthesis.Read moreRead less
Biogenesis inspired total synthesis of natural products. The project will study the chemical synthesis of a number of novel natural products. Most significantly, this project will deliver new methods for organic synthesis of complex molecules. The rewards from the total synthesis of bioactive compounds are enormous for the community and in the education and training of scientists.
Direct substitution acyl azolium catalysis: new approaches in reaction discovery. New chemical reactions play a central role in the creation of new materials and knowledge for society. This project will develop new catalytic reactions that create useful materials in a rapid and efficient fashion without creating an excessive drain on resources.
Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this pro ....Total Synthesis of Myxobacteria Metabolites and Analogues. This project will investigate the total chemical synthesis of complex myxobacteria metabolites. In addition, the synthesis of new analogues of some of these natural products will also be investigated. The project endeavours to develop new methods for chemical synthesis and also to produce new therapeutic products which may possess greater efficacy and superior biological activities than the natural compounds. Most significantly, this project will deliver natural and new compounds for analysis of anti-cancer activity. The rewards of the development of new synthetic methods are enormous for the community and in the education of our scientists.Read moreRead less