18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER My main interests in research are the development of new chemical methodology and applications in organic synthesis. Specific areas of current interest are the intramolecular reactions of silacyclopropanes. I hope to expand upon the silyene transfer and silaeyclopropane insertion reactions that have been developed by our group and extend them to include new functionalities. By studying new reactions, I hope to gain a better understanding of specific chemical transitions and pathways, and offer new ideas regarding reaction mechanisms. My goal is also to contribute new reactions and apply their unique reactivities in synthesis. During the course of my graduate career, I want to further develop my ability to approach, examine, and analyze problems in organic chemistry. I would like to apply my knowledge of organic chemistry and synthesis to problems in the pharmaceutical industry. The field ofhealthcare and medicine has always been of great interest to me and I hope to contribute to it through pharmaceutical research and development. ;PONSOR 19. NAME AND DEGREE(S) Keith A. Woer_el, B.S., A.M., Ph.D. 20. POSITION/RANK Associate Professor of Chemistry 21. RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS Organic Chemistry and Organic Synthesis RESEARCH PROPOSAL 22. DESCRIPTION (Do not exceed space provided) The proposal describes the development of fimctional group tolerant silacyclopropanation and intramolecular carbonyl insertion into silacyclopropanes. Metal-catalyzed silylene transfer to alkenes is an effective route to the synthesis of silacyclopropanes, however further investigation into the functional group tolerance of this reaction is needed. Once optimized, silylene transfer to an alkene with a carbonyl functionality would result in formation ofa silacyclopropane capable of undergoing an intramolecular insertion of the carbonyl. Intramolecular insertion reactions have the potential to form new stereoselective carbon-carbon bonds, rings systems, and tertiary alcohols, which can simplify chemical conversions in the synthesis of molecules such as natural products of biological importance. PHS 416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB Individual NRSA Application Table of Contents ========================================Section End===========================================
