Total Synthesis of Complex Molecules

在化学系化学合成项目的支持下，加州大学洛杉矶分校的Neil Garg教授正在研究一种重要分子的化学合成，这种分子具有有趣的化学性质和有趣的结构。化学家合成这种分子是为了突破已知化学技术的界限。从这些研究中学到的知识为许多领域的发现提供了基础，包括农业化学、材料科学和药物发现。Garg教授亦致力向公众推广科学及科学教育。他的拓展活动和倡议挑战了现有的本科教育模式，并使有机化学这一众所周知的困难学科能够为更广泛的受众所接受。Garg教授正在研究复杂分子十二面体烷。它的化学结构类似于众所周知的十二面体结构，由碳原子和氢原子组成。这种分子长期以来一直受到科学关注，对合成化学来说是一个臭名昭著的挑战。从机械的角度来看，这个综合中的关键转换也很有趣。诸如此类的化学合成方面的尝试，界定了已知反应的范围和局限性，并推动了合成化学的现代发展。在教育方面，Garg教授正在重新定义化学教育的前景。他正在为学生、儿童和公众开发在线资源，对吸引人们参与有机化学和帮助人们可视化分子的三维结构特别感兴趣。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。

With the support of the Chemical Synthesis Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Neil Garg of the University of California, Los Angeles is pursuing the chemical synthesis of an important molecule that possesses interesting chemical properties and an interesting structure. Chemists synthesize such molecules for the purpose of pushing the boundaries of known chemical technologies. What is learned from these studies provides the foundation for discovery in numerous fields, including agrochemistry, materials science, and drug discovery. Professor Garg also maintains efforts to promote science and science education to the general public. His outreach activities and initiatives challenge existing paradigms in undergraduate education and render the notoriously difficult subject of organic chemistry accessible to a broader audience. Professor Garg is studying the complex molecule dodecahedrane. The chemical structure resembles the well-known dodecahedrane shape and is comprised of carbon and hydrogen atoms. This molecule is of longstanding scientific interest and is a notorious challenge for synthetic chemistry. The key transformations in this synthesis are also of interest from a mechanistic perspective. Forays in chemical synthesis, such as these, define the scope and limitations of known reactions and advance the modern state of synthetic chemistry. With regard to educational initiatives, Professor Garg is redefining the landscape of chemical education. He is developing online resources for students, children, and the general public, with a particular interest in engaging people in organic chemistry and helping people visualize the 3-dimensional structures of molecules.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.