Biomimetic Oxidation Chemistry

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This grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the continuing research of Professor Cynthia Burrows at the University of Utah. Primary objectives are experiments on the site-specific metal catalyzed modification of DNA and other small molecules. Fundamental problems to be solved are the activation of dioxygen factors influencing the alkylation of DNA by nickel complexes and the dynamic parameters of nickel catalyzed oxidation of small molecules. Oxidation is a fundamental reaction in chemistry which when applied to organic and biological molecules can be useful as well as deleterious. It assists degradration and detoxification in some instances and it can initiate cancer in other conditions. Thus, a thorough understanding of these types of reactions is very important. This proposal addresses a specific aspect of the field wherein nickel facilitates the oxidation of DNA, a significant component of biological systems.