Cyclization Approaches to Natural Products (Chemistry)

有机与高分子化学计划中的这一研究项目旨在加深对有机化合物的分子结构和反应性的了解。这一新知识是通过制备和研究在天然产品中遇到的代表多功能类型的新分子来获得的。将在天然产品化学领域开展几个项目。将研究新的环化反应，这些反应将导致进入新霉素类抗肿瘤抗生素的关键中间体，即头孢菌素(一种新的抗生素聚酮生物碱)和霍莫沙尼酮(一种具有显著抗肿瘤活性的多氧色酮)。有待开发的具体合成方法包括在碳水化合物化学中使用芳基自由基，以及在不对称聚酮合成中使用定向羟醛缩合反应。

This research project in the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is designed to provide deeper understanding of molecular structure and reactivity in organic compounds. This new knowledge is to be gained through preparation and study of new molecules representative of polyfunctional types encountered among natural products. Several projects will be pursued in the areas of natural products chemistry. New cyclization reactions which will lead to key intermediates for entry into the nogalamycin class of anti-tumor antibiotics, the cervinomycins (a new class of antibiotic polyketide alkaloids), and hormothamnione (a polyoxygenated chromone which exhibits impressive antitumor activity) will be investigated. The specific synthetic methods to be developed involve the use of aryl radicals in carbohydrate chemistry and directed aldol condensation reactions in unsymmetrical polyketide synthesis.