Presenter: Hao Xu, Assistant Professor

University: Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University

Time: 14:00-15:00, October 31, 2011

Venue: Room 101, North Building, Zhongguancun, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Abstract:

I. The Total Synthesis of 1-O-Methyllateriflorone.

II. Asymmetric Catalysis of Strong Acid-Catalyzed Reactions with Chiral H-Bond Donors"

Complex-molecule synthesis has had tremendous impact on the development of chemistry, biology and medicine.  However, it is a misconception that chemical synthesis is a mature discipline.  Lengthy synthetic sequences and low overall yields in most multi-step syntheses make it extremely challenging to provide sufficient quantities of desired targets for therapeutic purposes.  The inefficiency is often due to the limited availability of chiral building blocks and our limited capability to control selectivity.  The discovery of powerful selective catalytic reactions will significantly increase the efficiency of complex-molecule synthesis.  The long-term goal of our research program is to design and discover selective catalytic reactions for efficient complex-molecule synthesis, and to supply sufficient quantities of targets for biological studies.  Further mechanistic study and synthetic application of these reactions will allow for rapid syntheses of various complex targets.