Exploiting Oxetanes with alpha-Unsaturation

本项目重点是进一步探索具有有效反应活性的2-亚甲基辛烷、1,5-二氧二辛烷[3.2]己烷、4-二氧二辛烷[2.3]己烷和3-烷基烷-2-亚甲基辛烷这类紧系杂环。改善对一系列3-烷基烷-2-亚甲基乙烷的获取将允许初步检查这些化合物作为脂肪酸合酶抑制剂的效用。最初的研究表明，可以用这种方法获得新型的含有奥西烷的核苷，这些核苷可以作为抗病毒或抗菌药物。此外，将研究一种新的、机械上有趣的方法来有效地功能化四氢呋喃。有了这个奖项，有机和大分子化学项目支持康涅狄格大学化学系Amy R. Howell教授的研究。Howell教授的研究工作围绕着利用不寻常的、紧张的杂环作为高效有机合成的支架。这种化学将有助于制备新颖的、生物学上有趣的小分子，并将对制药和农业部门产生影响。

This project is centered on the further exploration of 2-methyleneoxetanes, 1,5-dioxa-spiro[3.2]hexanes, 4-oxaspiro[2.3]hexanes and 3-alkylidene-2-methyleneoxetanes, strained heterocycles with useful reactivities. Improved access to a range of 3-alkylidene-2-methyleneoxetanes will allow preliminary examination of the utility of these compounds as inhibitors of fatty acid synthases. Initial studies have shown that novel, oxetane-containing nucleosides, which may serve as anti-viral or anti-bacterial agents, can be accessed with this methodology. In addition, a new, mechanistically interesting approach to usefully functionalized tetrahydrofurans will be investigated.With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Professor Amy R. Howell of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut. Professor Howell's research efforts revolve around exploiting unusual, strained heterocycles as scaffolds for efficient organic synthesis. Such chemistry will contribute to the preparation of novel, biologically interesting small molecules and will have an impact on the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.