Development of New Strategies for Complex Molecule Synthesis

本项目由化学学部合成计划资助。贝勒大学（Baylor University）的约翰·l·伍德（John L. Wood）博士正在开发新的方法和策略，将容易获得的化学物质转化为与自然界中发现的化学物质相似，有时甚至完全相同的复杂分子。这些分子因其复杂的结构和重要的生理特性而受到研究。正在开发的新方法和策略适用于用于发现新药、农用化学品、杀虫剂、材料、香料和香料的分子制备。这项研究更广泛的影响包括提高我们制备复杂分子的能力。学生们从事研究并获得技能，使他们能够在学术界和工业界从事STEM职业。伍德博士的研究团队继续由不同教育水平、种族和性别的个人组成，他们继续在科学和社会上产生强烈的积极影响。伍德正在开发新的方法和策略来合成生理上重要的天然产物。本研究针对的天然产物具有复杂的结构，包括天然存在的生物碱tetrapetalone A和aspergilline A以及天然存在的抗真菌剂hippolachnin A的同族物。在这些合成努力的背景下，正在寻求策略，以促进理解和扩大分子内呋喃diel - alder反应的范围，以及环丙烯和四环环的环加成化学。后一种应变环体系有望作为环加成底物，能够提供各种立体化学丰富的脂肪族和杂环产物。含氮杂环和含氧杂环在新材料、药物、农用化学品、杀虫剂、香料和香料的开发中无处不在。Wood博士不断组建一个由不同教育水平、种族和性别的个人组成的研究团队，并致力于在初中和高中水平的青年群体中促进STEM教育。参与该项目的学生所获得的培训和技能将使他们在各自的STEM职业生涯中对科学和社会产生持久的影响。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project is funded by the Synthesis Program of the Chemistry Division. Dr. John L. Wood of Baylor University is developing new methods and strategies for transforming readily accessible chemicals into complex molecules that are similar, and sometimes identical, to those that have been discovered in nature. These molecules are being studied because of their complex structure and important physiological properties. The new methods and strategies being developed are applicable to the preparation of molecules used in the discovery of new medicines, agrochemicals, insecticides, materials, flavors, and fragrances. The broader impacts of this research include advancing our ability to prepare complex molecules. Students are engaged in research and acquire skills that enable them to pursue STEM careers in both academics and industry. Dr. Wood's research team continues to be comprised of individuals with varied educational levels, ethnicities and genders who move on to positions where they continue to have a strong positive impact on science and society.Dr. Wood is developing new methods and strategies for the synthesis of physiologically important natural products. The natural products targeted in this study possess complex structures and include congeners of the naturally occurring alkaloids tetrapetalone A and aspergilline A and the naturally occurring antifungal agent hippolachnin A. Within the context of these synthetic efforts, strategies are being pursued that advance understanding and expand the scope of intramolecular furan Diels-Alder reactions, and the cycloaddition chemistry of cyclopropenone and quadricyclane. The latter strained ring systems hold promise as cycloaddition substrates capable of delivering a variety of stereochemically rich aliphatic and heterocyclic products. Nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocycles are ubiquitous among molecules useful in the development of new materials, medicines, agrochemicals, insecticides, flavors and fragrances. Dr. Wood has continually assembled a research team comprised of individuals with varied educational levels, ethnicities and genders and pursues outreach endeavors designed to foster STEM education among middle and high school level youth groups. The training and skillsets developed in the students involved this project will enable them to have a lasting impact on science and society during the pursuit of their respective STEM careers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.