Total Synthesis of Complex Molecules

在化学系化学合成计划的支持下，加州大学洛杉矶分校的尼尔·加格教授正在进行一种具有有趣的化学性质和有趣的结构的重要分子的化学合成。化学家合成这种分子的目的是为了突破已知的化学技术的界限。从这些研究中学到的东西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。加格教授还继续努力向公众推广科学和科学教育。他的外展活动和倡议挑战了现有的本科教育范式，并使臭名昭著的有机化学这门难学的学科能够被更广泛的受众所接受。加格教授正在研究复杂的十二面体分子。其化学结构类似于众所周知的十二面体形状，由碳和氢原子组成。这种分子具有长期的科学价值，对合成化学来说是一个臭名昭著的挑战。从机械论的角度来看，这一综合中的关键转换也是令人感兴趣的。化学合成的进展，如这些，定义了已知反应的范围和局限性，并推动了合成化学的现代状态。关于教育倡议，加格教授正在重新定义化学教育的格局。他正在为学生、儿童和公众开发在线资源，特别关注让人们参与有机化学和帮助人们可视化分子的三维结构。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.