CAREER: Asymmetric Synthesis and Novel Transformations of 2-Oxetanones; Minority Outreach/Multimedia Approaches to Understanding Organic Chemistry and Its Societal Relevance

本研究通过发展Lewis酸介导的(2，2)环加成化学和串联的羟醛/内酯合成方法来制备β-内酯。将探索β-内酯的新转化，包括分子内的烯丙基硅烷加成和三氯化铁介导的串联脱苄/转酰化。该教育计划的重点是为包括少数族裔在内的一年级研究生开发一门“过渡”课程，向当地高中推广少数族裔，并开发用于有机化学教学的多媒体演示文稿。通过这个职业奖项，合成有机项目支持德克萨斯农工大学化学系的丹尼尔·罗莫博士的研究和教育活动。罗莫教授将把他的研究重点放在一类被称为β-内酯的化合物的不对称合成上。这些化合物在有机合成中作为有用的中间体，被用作聚合底物，其基本结构单元出现在各种具有生理活性的天然产物中。该教育计划将侧重于为教育困难的一年级研究生开发一门过渡课程，并开发与有机化学有关的多媒体演示文稿。

This research focuses on the preparation of beta-lactones by the development of Lewis acid mediated (2+2) cycloaddition chemistry and tandem aldol/lactonization methodology. New transformations of beta-lactones including intramolecular allylsilane additions and ferric chloride mediated tandem debenzylation/transacylation will be probed. The educational plan focuses on the development of a `transition` course for first year graduate students, including minorities, minority outreach to local high schools and development of multimedia presentations for use in the teaching of organic chemistry. With this CAREER award, the Synthetic Organic Program is supporting the research and educational activities of Dr. Daniel Romo of the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. Professor Romo will focus his research effort on the asymmetric synthesis of a class of compounds known as beta-lactones. These compounds serve as useful intermediates in organic synthesis, are utilized as polymerization substrates and the basic structural unit appears in a variety of physiologically active natural products. The educational plan will focus on the development of a `transition` course for educationally disadvantaged first year graduate students and the development of multimedia presentations related to organic chemistry