The focus of this research is to develop regio- and chemocontrolled annulation methodologies. To these ends, sequential cycloadditions/cyclizations of conjugated enynes, triggered by regiocontrolled palladium-catalyzed enyne-yne [4+2] benzannulation reactions, will be employed. Further, alternative activating groups for the palladium-catalyzed [4+2] benzannulation reaction will be identified. Synthetic targets will include 2,5-dicarba-, and 2,4,5-tricarbasubstituted resorcinol cores and aza-analogs, as well as monomers for monodisperse oligophenyleneethynylenes. Aza-enyne aza-enynophiles will be used for the direct synthesis of pyridine derivatives via the transition metal-catalyzed [4+2] strategy.
With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Vladimir Gevorgyan of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Gevorgyan will focus his work on the development of methodologies for metal catalyzed formation of multisubstituted aromatics and heteroaromatics. The research will expand knowledge of transition metal-catalyzed ring forming reactions and will provide underemployed approaches for the preparation of important classes of compounds. The project provides an excellent arena for the training of undergraduates and graduate students and has potential broader impact for the pharmaceutical industry.
