UCLA

Special Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Soumitra Athavale
2023-01-31 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Tales in Molecular Evolution: From Chiral Symmetry Breaking to New-to-Nature Biocatalysis

The evolutionary journey of chemistry on our planet, from small molecules to genetic polymers, presents fascinating opportunities for the organic chemist. At one end, mysterious early steps evoke grand questions at the foundations of chemistry, while at the other, biology’s extraordinary machinery lies primed for creative manipulation.
An illustration of the former is the riddle of the origin of biological homochirality, inspiring the general query, ‘can asymmetric synthesis transpire without any chiral intervention’? The Soai reaction – diisopropylzinc alkylation of pyrimidine carbaldehydes – remains a singular, celebrated example where this is possible and has received widespread attention from diverse chemical fields. I will present structural, experimental, and computational investigations which reveal the first comprehensive mechanistic picture of this iconic transformation.
For the latter case, I will showcase how the principles of directed evolution can be applied to develop new enzymes for promoting processes never seen in nature. The engineering of heme proteins enables enantioselective catalysis of challenging nitrene C–H insertion reactions for accessing nitrogen containing compounds from feedstock chemicals. This example of ‘new-to-nature biocatalysis’ is emblematic of a modern age of protein biochemistry that promises to revolutionize the use of enzymes for molecular construction.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Dolores Bozovic
2023-01-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Prof. Bozovic Flyer
Title: Physics of the Auditory System
Abstract: Hair cells of the auditory system constitute a remarkable biological sensor that exhibits nanometer-scale sensitivity of mechanical detection. Our experiments explore the active nonlinear processes behind the detection of very weak signals. We demonstrate the presence of chaos in the innate motility of active bundles, and explore both theoretically and experimentally its role in enhancing the sensitivity of detection. We further show that these cells utilize weakly chaotic dynamics to combine sensitive response with high temporal resolution. The presence of chaos in individual hair bundles also aids in the synchronization between coupled hair cells, and gives rise to new dynamical states. Finally, we explore the neural mechanisms that reduce and control the responsiveness of the cell. Specifically, we show that the efferent neurons serve as a gain control system, which can strongly affect the very compliance of the mechanosensory cells.

Organic Student Seminar 248: Georgia Scherer
2023-01-30 15:00 - 15:50 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Special Biochem Seminar - Jie Zhou
2023-01-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: Identify and Target Proteolytic Neoepitopes in Cancer

Special Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series: Agnes Thorarinsdottir
2023-01-27 13:00 - 14:15 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Dr. Agnes Thorarinsdottir flyer
Title: New Approaches to Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Energy Catalysis Through Chemical Design
Abstract: Synthetic chemistry is a powerful tool for realizing molecules and materials with novel functions for addressing grand challenges in biomedical, environmental, and energy science. This presentation will discuss two avenues by which specific molecular and materials functions may be implemented by chemical design to create chemical systems with advanced properties.
Part 1: Variation of properties such as temperature, pH, and redox status in the tissue microenvironment is closely associated with a number of biological processes and diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes that can alter their magnetic properties in response to specific changes in their surrounding environment provide new opportunities for overcoming the current limitations of traditional MRI contrast agents, namely relatively low sensitivity and poor specificity. This presentation will describe the employment of spin-crossover iron complexes for monitoring temperature using 19F NMR chemical shift and dinuclear cobalt complexes for the ratiometric quantitation of solution pH in a noninvasive manner.
Part 2: Global adoption of sustainable energy technologies and chemical industries relies heavily on the efficiency by which small gas molecules such as CO2, N2, O2, and H2 can be converted to fuels, chemicals, and electricity. Electrocatalysis of such gas molecules driven by renewable energy sources offers a promising route, however, performing such reactions in aqueous environments has been limited by the low solubilities of gases in water. This presentation will describe a strategy of harnessing the high gas capacities of microporous water—aqueous porous liquids comprising microporous nanocrystals—for engendering current enhancement in the electroreduction of O2 in water.

Distinguished Lecture Series: Daniel G. Nocera
2023-01-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer TBA
Title TBA
Abstract TBA

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series: Elena Meirzadeh
2023-01-25 16:00 - 17:15 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Dr. Elena Meirzadeh Flyer
Title: From small molecules to infinite superatomic sheets
Abstract: Developing a precise understanding of structure-function relationships in molecular crystals can allow us to generate a wide range of properties from extremely simple building blocks. In the first half of my talk, I will discuss how crystal engineering and defects affect the macroscopic properties of amino acid crystals. Moreover, I will describe the molecular-level determination of the structure of defect sites, which are below the diffraction detection limit, using pyroelectric measurement coupled with dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. In the second half of my talk, I will introduce a new two-dimensional crystalline form of carbon that we recently synthesized –– graphullerene. The constituent fullerene subunits in these crystals are arranged hexagonally in a covalently interconnected molecular sheet that can be mechanically exfoliated and characterized. I will describe how the properties of graphullerene differ from those of graphene and molecular fullerenes.

Special Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Dr. Jose Roque
2023-01-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Young Hall 2033
Modern drug discovery has benefited from advancements in chemical reaction development. For example, C–H functionalization reactions has transformed how synthetic chemists approach the retrosynthetic analysis of bioactive compounds. Despite recent advances, the development of site-selective reactions remains a grand challenge in metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization. Typical retrosynthetic analysis results in simplified fragments by the removal of functional groups on the periphery of molecules. As a result, forward syntheses and diversification of molecules have focused on peripheral modifications. Inspired by the concept of scaffold hopping, the first part of the presentation will detail an approach to access novel chemical space by focusing on making structural edits to the core framework of molecules. The second part of the presentation will center on addressing site-selectivity and the need for more active first-row transition metal catalysts, as the low activity and limited scope of known first-row transition metal catalysts severely limit their utility. Cobalt precatalysts supported by pyridine dicarbene pincers have been developed to selectively functionalize electronically distinct C–H bonds without relying on directing groups contrasting traditional approaches. For example, the meta-selective C(sp2)–H borylation of fluoroarenes, a significant challenge due to the weak coordinating ability and the similar size of fluorine and hydrogen, has been demonstrated. Mechanistic studies on fluoroarene borylation established a kinetic preference for C–H bond activation at the meta position, while cobalt-aryl complexes resulting from ortho C–H activation are thermodynamically preferred. As a result of these mechanistic insights, the selectivity of a C–H borylation can be switched with a single catalyst by simply modifying the reaction conditions.

NSF Center for Integrated Catalysis Webinar Series: Parisa Mehrkhodavandi
2023-01-24 13:00 - 14:30
Title: Cationic indium in catalysis: Generation of functionalized copolymers from commodity monomers
Abstract: Cationic indium complexes are rare in the field of catalysis. We have developed families of cationic indium complexes supported by tridentate and tetradentate aminophenolate ligands which show reactivity towards cyclic esters, cyclic ethers, and copolymerizations with CO 2. We show that, depending on ligand design, these complexes are excellent catalysts for the coupling of functionalized epoxides and cyclic esters to form orthoesters, for the controlled ring opening polymerization of cyclic ethers, and for the copolymerization of cyclic ethers and esters. Structure-function relationships and mechanistic considerations in each of these systems will be explored.

Physical Chemistry 228: Dr. Milena Jovanovic
2023-01-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Dr. Jovanovic Flyer
Title: “Delocalized Bonding in Extended Systems: From Molecules to Quantum Materials”
Abstract: A long list of words attached to extensions of two-center two-electron bonding, such as
conjugation, aromaticity, electron-deficient, and electron-rich bonding, testifies to the ubiquity of
electron delocalization and its importance in chemistry. Delocalization certainly has consequences – in
spectroscopic, ionization, and magnetic questions the most prominently – both for discrete molecules
and for polymers and extended solids. Moreover, a complex relationship between delocalized bonding
and quantum properties of extended solids has come to light in recent years. Understanding
delocalization mechanisms and how they interact with each other is crucial to designing new quantum
materials.
My talk focuses on two cases of electron delocalization in materials: σ delocalization in
permethylated polysilane and chemical bonding in kagome lattices. In the case of permethylated
polysilane, I will explain how strong conformational dependence of the polymer’s properties arises from
an interplay of two delocalization mechanisms. In the case of compounds featuring the kagome lattice, I
will derive chemical rules to predict if bonding within the lattice is possible and its relation to materials’
properties. Additionally, I will briefly reflect on the other aspects of electron delocalization, namely non-
trivial election localization in crystals and its consequences.

Organic Student Seminar 248: Madeline Ruos
2023-01-23 15:00 - 15:50 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar Series: Prof. Sarah Keane
2023-01-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Sarah Keane Flyer
Title: Structure of pre-miR-31 reveals an active role in Dicer processing
Abstract: As an essential post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression, microRNA (miR) levels must be strictly maintained. The biogenesis of many, but not all, miRs is mediated by trans-acting protein partners through a variety of mechanisms, including remodeling of the RNA structure. The intrinsic structural properties of RNAs can provide an additional layer of regulation. miR-31 functions as an oncogene in numerous cancers and interestingly, its biogenesis is not known to be regulated by protein binding partners. We determined the solution structure of the precursor element of miR-31 (pre-miR-31) to investigate the role of distinct structural elements in regulating Dicer processing. We found that the presence or absence of mismatches within the helical stem do not strongly influence Dicer processing of the pre-miR. However, both the apical loop size and structure at the Dicing site are key elements for discrimination by Dicer. Interestingly, our NMR-derived structure reveals the presence of a triplet of base pairs that link the Dicer cleavage site and the apical loop. Mutational analysis in this region suggests that the stability of the junction region strongly influence both Dicer binding and processing. Our results enrich our understanding of the active role that RNA structure plays in regulating Dicer processing.

Biochemistry Seminar Series - Prof. Sarah Keane
2023-01-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: TBD
Abstract: TBD

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Tehshik Yoon
2023-01-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Prof. Yoon Flyer
Stereocontrol in Photochemical Synthesis
Abstract: Photochemistry is intriguing as a synthetic tool because the absorption of light by an organic molecule results in the formation of exceptionally energetic reactive intermediates that can react in ways that are inaccessible to ground-state molecules. However, this high reactivity is also a challenge for stereoselective synthesis: control over the stereochemistry of photochemical reactions, particularly using enantioselective catalysts, has been a long-standing challenging synthetic problem with few general solutions. We recently developed a strategy that utilizes privileged chiral Brønsted acid scaffolds to control both the absolute and relative stereochemistry of complex [2+2] photocycloadditions. These reactions have enabled a general, concise, and stereocontrolled strategy for the synthesis of the truxinate and truxillate natural products.

Special Biochem Seminar - Alex Guseman
2023-01-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: Targeting Spike Glycans to Inhibit Viral Entry

Special Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Dr. Alistair Sterling
2023-01-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Strain is a foundational concept in organic chemistry. Its presence can transform an inert molecule into one with exciting properties, or steer a reaction toward a single product with exquisite control. Understanding—and importantly, predicting—the delicate balance between strain and reactivity will enable the full potential of strain to be harnessed for drug discovery, materials chemistry, bioconjugation and beyond. In this talk, efforts to uncover the fundamental principles that govern strain release chemistry will be discussed, using the highly-strained hydrocarbon [1.1.1]propellane to develop the concept of bond delocalization,1 before demonstrating how this idea can be generalized to predict the behaviour of all small-ring carbocycles.2 The implications of this interplay between strain, bonding and reactivity will be explored through reaction development built upon halogen bonding and photoredox catalysis,3,4 offering guidelines to develop reactions that capitalize on strain release reactivity.5
[1] Sterling, A. J., Dürr, A. B., Smith, R. C., Anderson, E. A., Duarte, F., Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 4895–4903.
[2] Sterling, A. J., Smith, R. C., Anderson, E. A., Duarte, F., ChemRxiv 2021 (https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-n0xm9).
[3] Livesly, S., Sterling, A. J., Robertson, C. C., Goundry, W., Morris, J. A., Duarte, F., Aïssa, C., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202111291.
[4] Wong, M. L. J., Sterling, A. J., Mousseau, J. J., Duarte, F., Anderson, E. A., Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 1644.
[5] Frank, N., Nugent, J., Shire, B. R., Pickford, H. D., Rabe, P., Sterling, A. J., Zarganes-Tzitzikas, T., Grimes, T., Thompson, A. L., Smith, R. C., Schofield, C. J., Brennan, P. E., Duarte, F., Anderson, E. A., Nature 2022, 611, 721–726.

Special Biochem Seminar -Jinfan Wang
2023-01-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: How does protein synthesis start in eukaryotes?

Special Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Dr. Masha Elkin
2023-01-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Abstract: The synthesis of natural products is motivated by their potent biological effects, enigmatic biosynthetic origins, and complex molecular structures. Computational tools such as density functional theory and machine learning can provide mechanistic insights and predict reactivity in silico to inform synthetic campaigns. In addition, computational tools and predictive analytics can guide the development and application of transition-metal catalysis. Several examples of computational approaches to challenges in synthesis and catalysis are presented: selectivity rationalization during the synthesis of berkeleyone A, machine learning to guide the synthesis of clovane terpenoids, hybrid modeling to predict the site of late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutical intermediates, and machine learning to develop new catalysts for olefin hydroformylation. These advances enable more efficient use of synthetic resources and offer modern solutions to pressing challenges in synthesis and catalysis.

Physical Chemistry 228: Dr. Youn Jue (Eunice) Bae
2023-01-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Dr. Bae Flyer

Organic Student Seminar 248: Aaron Chavarria
2023-01-09 15:00 - 15:50 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Special Biochemistry Seminar - Michael Lawson
2023-01-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Michael Lawson Seminar
Title: Defining the Pathways of Eukaryotic Translational Quality Control
Abstract: My research examines how protein synthesis concludes on normal and defective mRNAs. Understanding how these processes are choregraphed is crucial for human health; for example, 11% of all heritable human diseases are caused by premature stop codons. As a postdoctoral fellow, I defined the molecular events that liberate polypeptides from ribosomes as translation concludes on normal mRNAs. Using an in vitro reconstituted yeast translation system and single-molecule assays, I tracked the interplay of eukaryotic release factors (eRF1 and eRF3) with ribosomes halted at stop codons. I discovered that eRF1 and eRF3 act together to quickly recognize stop codons and elicit termination via a tightly regulated process that resembles how ribosomes select proper tRNAs in translation elongation, which explains how translation termination is fast yet also specific for stop codons. Since the release factors are well conserved throughout eukaryotes, these mechanisms are likely a fundamental feature of eukaryotic protein synthesis. My work also revealed that diverse effectors inhibit translation termination to promote stop codon readthrough, suggesting a new route to treat diseases caused by premature stop codons which includes cystic fibrosis and hereditary cancers. In the future, I will use single-molecule and structural approaches to watch translation unfold on defective mRNAs to understand the molecular events used to evaluate mRNAs and prevent the repeated synthesis of toxic proteins.

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Dr. Saki Ichikawa
2023-01-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Dr. Ichikawa Flyer
Title: Natural Recognition Motifs for the E3 Ligase Adapter Cereblon
Abstract: Understanding the biology of drug target proteins is essential to enhance drug discovery efforts and mechanistic studies. The clinical drugs thalidomide and its derivatives, known as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), are recognized by a conserved binding domain on the E3 ligase adapter cereblon (CRBN), resulting in lifesaving anti-cancer treatments or horrific teratogenicity. However, despite the growing use of CRBN in the lab and clinic, the mechanisms CRBN uses to recognize protein substrates have escaped definition to date. E3 ligase complexes select proteins for degradation by recognizing degrons, specific amino acid sequences sufficient to promote ubiquitination and degradation when embedded in a protein substrate. We hypothesized that degrons for the thalidomide-binding domain of CRBN could be installed on its substrates via post-translational modifications. Here, I will discuss our chemical approaches to discovering a degron for the thalidomide-binding domain of CRBN and its implications for the physiological function and therapeutic engagement of CRBN.
Bio: Saki Ichikawa is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Professor Christina M. Woo at Harvard University, where she investigates natural substrate recognition mechanisms of the E3 ligase adapter cereblon (CRBN). She obtained a BS in Chemistry from the University of Tokyo (2014), where she conducted undergraduate research in the laboratory of Professor Eiichi Nakamura. In 2019, Saki received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the guidance of Professor Stephen L. Buchwald. While at MIT, she focused on the development of copper-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination reactions. By integrating chemical biology, organic chemistry, and chemical proteomics, Saki aims to address significant questions in the chemistry and biology of protein modifications.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Dr. Victoria Barber
2023-01-05 11:00 - 12:00 | via Zoom
Dr. Barber Flyer 1.5.23

Special Biochem Seminar - Steve Bonilla
2023-01-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: Dissecting Dynamic RNA 3D Landscapes by Cryo-EM

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Chenxiang Wang
2022-12-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series: Mahdi Abu-Omar
2022-12-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Prof. Mahdi Abu-Omar Flyer
Meet the Speaker: 11 a.m., YH 3096
Title: Bifunctional catalysis for upcycling of polyethylene to alkylaromatics
Abstract: The current scale of plastics production (nearing 400 million tons per year) and the accompanying waste disposal problems represent a largely untapped opportunity for chemical upcycling. Tandem catalytic conversion by platinum supported on γ-alumina converts various polyethylene grades in high yields to liquid alkyl aromatics in the absence of added solvent or molecular hydrogen. These molecules can be used as biodegradable detergents. Coupling exothermic hydrogenolysis with endothermic aromatization renders the overall process thermodynamically accessible despite moderate reaction temperature. The UCSB upcycling process demonstrates how waste polyolefins can be a viable feedstock for the generation of useful and value-added molecules.

Special Materials Chemistry Seminar by Prof. Jennifer Dionne
2022-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Inaugural Dickerson Lecture Biochemistry Seminar Series: Robert M. Stroud
2022-12-01 16:00 - 17:30 | Boyer 159, 611 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Dickerson Lecture Flyer – Robert M. Stroud
Title: “Caught in the Act! – Building the Wall!”
Abstract: From the atomic structure of the first protein, Myoglobin in which Richard Dickerson played the key role(1), proteins were necessarily purified from large animals. Now complex machines can be ‘tagged’ and purified endogenously from cells growing under normal conditions(2), revealing their endogenous partnerships, natural substrates, and reactions as if trapped ‘in action’. The mycolic acid layer of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall is essential for viability and virulence, and the enzymes responsible for its synthesis are therefore targets for antimycobacterial drug development. Polyketide synthase 13 (Pks13) performs the key essential final condensation of mycolic acids. Structures determined by cryogenic electron microscopy of dimeric multi-enzyme Pks13 purified from mycobacteria, are captured with native endogenous long-chain fatty acid substrates. Structures define the ketosynthase (KS), linker domains, and acyltransferase (AT) domains at 1.8 Å resolution, and show two alternate locations of the N-terminal acyl carrier protein that delivers substrate from a fatty acid synthase to the KS domain. Other domains, visible only at low resolution, are flexible relative to the KS-AT core. These structures, together with cross linking and integrative modeling suggest intermediate states on the pathway to mycolic acid synthesis(3).

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Sidney Wilkerson-Hill
2022-12-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Seminar Sponsored by Organization for Cultural Diversity in Science
Prof Wilkerson Hill Flyer
Title: Orphaned Cyclopropanes
Abstract: Cyclopropanes are strained carbocycles that have fascinated chemists for decades with many established methods for their construction. Unfortunately, many methods struggle to build cyclopropanes containing only alkyl functionality, which limits access to antiviral medicines (e.g., nirmatrelvir), pyrethroid insecticides and sesquiterpenoid natural products. These cyclopropanes have been “orphaned” or left behind by state-of-the-art cycloaddition methods and are typically characterized as arising from the transfer of a unstabilized carbene unit. The goals of the Hill group are to develop new methods to obtain orphaned cyclopropanes and to use these strategies to address the coming “insectocalypse”. To this end, we have developed three cyclopropanation methods that break with traditional paradigms and enable the rational design and facile access to orphaned cyclopropanes. Our most recent approach leverages the high reactivity of lithiosulfones to transfer dialkyl carbene groups to styrenes.

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Mengzhen Chen
2022-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
