Abstract: Chemical reactivity can be utilized in many ways, including to improve synthetic access to new molecules and to devise tools to advance biomedicine. ‘Synthesis and catalysis’ are two themes interwoven throughout this presentation, which describes 1) the development of short synthetic routes to (–)-picrotoxinin, (–)-picrotin, and 5-methyl-picrotoxinin enabled by a late-stage strong-bond activation strategy for […]

Abstract: Detailed understanding of catalytic transformations is key to designing better catalysts and overcome pertinent challenges in synthesis. This talk will give insights on case studies and reactivity designs recently undertaken in our laboratory. The focus will be on multinuclear metal catalysis for the chemoselective and modular construction of molecules, the exploration of organogermanes in […]

"The development and targeting of epigenetic drugs for therapeutic benefit" Abstract: The talk will comprise two interconnected parts describing the development and targeting of epigenetic drugs for the treatment of disease.  The development of bromodomain ligands for the treatment of disease: bromodomains, protein modules that ‘read’ of lysine acetylation state, have emerged as important therapeutic […]

“Phosphorus-Oriented” Method Development and Total Synthesis Abstract: The lecture will describe the design, development and applications of new synthetic methods based upon phosphorus(V) reagents and catalysts. Topics will include catalytic halogenation, hydroxyl activation and the total synthesis of polychlorinated and trimeric phenol-derived natural products.