Catalysis and molecular recognition

催化和分子识别

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06320
• 负责人: Taylor, Mark
• 金额: $ 5.46万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=691783
• 关键词: Catalysis; molecular; recognition

Understanding the nature of the bonds that hold atoms together in molecules has been a primary goal of chemists since the earliest days of the field. However, a second type of interaction is equally important to understanding chemical behavior: these are 'intermolecular interactions', the forces that act between molecules. All phenomena that involve pairs or groups of molecules in contact for example, the behavior of liquid water, or the binding of a drug molecule to its target are influenced by these forces. Our research is aimed at understanding and exploiting intermolecular interactions. ***We use interactions between boron compounds and sugars as the basis for new types of chemical reactions. Boron compounds bind with predictable selectivity to particular sites in sugars. Supported by this Discovery Grant, we aim to use this type of binding to trigger chemical reactions of sugars at specific positions. Such reactions will provide ways to rapidly and efficiently prepare the complex, carbohydrate-containing molecules that play key roles in cellcell and cellpathogen interactions, thus facilitating the development of carbohydrate-based biochemical tools and therapeutic agents. In addition, we will develop boron-based processes for the preparation of polymers (plastics) from sugar derivatives. Not only are carbohydrate-derived polymers based on abundant, renewable feedstocks, but they are also biodegradable and non-toxic, key advantages for biomedical and drug delivery applications. ***The other goal of our research program is to gain fundamental insight into poorly understood intermolecular interactions of the halogens (chlorine, bromine and iodine) and chalcogens (sulfur and related elements). We will design and synthesize molecules that allow us to determine the strengths of these interactions. This type of information is crucial for understanding how they can be applied in drug design, materials science and chemical reactivity. ***The students who carry out this research will build expertise in organic synthesis (how to design, execute and optimize chemical reactions to prepare carbon-based compounds), while broadening their training through exposure to the techniques and concepts of polymer chemistry, along with analytical and computational methods. This skill set will position them strongly for employment in a wide range of sectors, including in the pharmaceutical, biotech, agrochemical and polymer chemistry industries.

自该领域最早的日子以来，了解将分子中的原子结合在一起的键的性质一直是化学家的主要目标。然而，第二种相互作用对于理解化学行为同样重要：这些相互作用是“分子间相互作用”，即分子之间的作用力。所有涉及分子对或分子群接触的现象，例如液态水的行为，或药物分子与其靶标的结合，都会受到这些力的影响。我们的研究旨在了解和利用分子间的相互作用。*我们使用硼化合物和糖之间的相互作用作为新型化学反应的基础。硼化合物对糖中的特定位置具有可预测的选择性。在这项发现基金的支持下，我们的目标是使用这种类型的结合来触发特定位置上的糖的化学反应。这种反应将提供快速有效地制备复杂的含碳水化合物的分子的方法，这些分子在细胞和细胞病原体的相互作用中发挥关键作用，从而促进基于碳水化合物的生化工具和治疗剂的开发。此外，我们将开发基于硼的工艺，从糖衍生物制备聚合物(塑料)。碳水化合物衍生聚合物不仅基于丰富的可再生原料，而且还是可生物降解和无毒的，这是生物医学和药物输送应用的关键优势。*我们研究计划的另一个目标是从根本上深入了解卤素(氯、溴和碘)和硫族(硫和相关元素)之间的分子间相互作用。我们将设计和合成分子，使我们能够确定这些相互作用的强度。这类信息对于了解它们如何应用于药物设计、材料科学和化学反应至关重要。*开展这项研究的学生将积累有机合成方面的专业知识(如何设计、执行和优化化学反应以制备碳基化合物)，同时通过接触聚合物化学的技术和概念以及分析和计算方法来扩大他们的培训。这一技能组合将使他们在包括制药、生物技术、农用化学品和聚合物化学行业在内的广泛部门获得强有力的就业机会。