CAREER: Enabling New Methodologies for the Synthesis of Polycyclic, Complex Molecules

有了这个奖项，化学系的化学合成项目支持了密歇根大学Corinna Schindler教授的研究。她的研究小组正在开发新的合成方法，用于快速合成具有生物学重要性的自然发生的复杂分子。所描述的研究旨在开发可持续的方法，使用环境友好的金属介导或无金属工艺来合成具有多环的结构。使用现有的合成技术很难获得这种结构。关注有机合成是Schindler教授教育计划的一个组成部分，其中包括本科生和研究生的培训机会，包括在大型入门科学课程和她的研究实验室。她还参与了旨在吸引底特律中学生的外展项目，以激发和维持对天然产品研究的兴趣。该研究项目的总体目标是解决复杂系统中选择性碳-碳键形成的挑战。Schindler教授的研究正在建立新的综合方法，以直接接触两类重要的构建模块。具体来说，她的团队正在开发一种正式的碳离子关键策略，以产生许多生物活性目标结构共同的多环1,3-二酮构建块。关键策略提供了依赖于苛刻反应条件的多步骤序列的一步替代方案。此外，她的团队正在开发一种无金属的催化方法，以非对映选择性的方式获得含有季碳的理想结构基序。总之，这些新策略使合成复杂的多环分子成为可能。所描述的目标补充和推进了目前的合成方法，以实现快速有效地获得具有生物重要性的碳环结构。Schindler教授的推广活动包括与安娜堡的Matthaei植物园共同开发的“天然产品开花”项目，旨在激发公众对合成有机化学的兴趣和积极的公众认知。

With this award, the Chemical Synthesis program of the Division of Chemistry is supporting the research of Professor Corinna Schindler at the University of Michigan. Her research group is developing new synthetic methods for the rapid synthesis of naturally occurring complex molecules of biological importance. The research described seeks to develop sustainable methods using either environmentally benign metal-mediated or metal-free processes for the synthesis of structures with multiple rings. Such structures are difficult to access using currently available synthetic technologies. The focus on organic synthesis is an integral component of Professor Schindler's educational plans, which include training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, both in large introductory science classes and in her research laboratory. She also is involved in outreach programs designed to engage Detroit middle school students to spark and sustain an interest in natural product research. The overarching goal of the research project is to address the challenge of selective carbon-carbon bond formation in complex systems. Professor Schindler's studies are establishing new synthetic approaches to enable direct access to two classes of important building blocks. Specifically, her group is developing a formal carbon dianion linchpin strategy to yield polycyclic 1,3-dione building blocks common to many biologically active target structures. The linchpin strategy provides a one-step alternative to multi-step sequences relying on harsh reaction conditions. Additionally, her group is developing a metal-free, catalytic method to access desirable structural motifs bearing quaternary carbons in a diastereoselective fashion. Together, these new strategies enable the synthesis of complex, polycyclic molecules. The objectives described complement and advance currently existing synthetic methods to enable rapid and efficient access to carbocyclic structures of biological importance. Professor Schindler's outreach includes a "Natural Products in Bloom" program developed with the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor that is designed to stimulate interest and positive public perception of synthetic organic chemistry in the general public.