Synthesis of Vitamin K Models

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The Organic Dynamics program will support Professor Paul Dowd's study of "Synthesis of Vitamin K Models" in the Chemistry Department at the University of Pittsburgh. Vitamin K is required for blood clotting, where it is an essential cofactor in the complex enzymic sequence known as the blood clotting cascade. This study will explore a new experimental model for the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation reaction since in the absence of carboxylation blood clotting is inhibited. A variety of methods are being used to study the new experimental model for the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation reaction, including inter- and intramolecular condensation reactions, oxygen labelling experiments, exploration of new strong bases, and new oxygenation reactions. Model experiments will determine whether molecular oxygen triggers the carboxylation reaction by reacting with the anionic form of vitamin K hydroquinone to produce vitamin K oxide, whose formation provides the energy necessary to furnish a base sufficiently strong to effect carboxylation.