Development of Carbon Carbon Bond Forming Strategies
Dr. Fenghai Guo funded by the National Science Foundation
Synthesis of complex heterocycles, including both unnaturally and naturally occurring targets, has had tremendous impact on the development of chemistry, biology and medicine. However, it is a misconception that heterocycle synthesis is a mature field. Lengthy synthetic sequences, low stereo-/enantioselectivities, and low overall yields in most multi-step syntheses make it extremely challenging to provide sufficient quantities of desired targets for therapeutic purposes. This study is developing powerful and efficient carbon carbon bond formation strategies will significantly increase the efficiency in complex heterocycle synthesis starting from simple aromatic compounds produced in petroleum industry.