Professor Snapper's research focuses on synthetic and mechanistic studies of metal catalyzed alkylidene metathesis reactions. The scope of the ring-opening cross metathesis of strained cycloalkenes will be examined, and both improvement of the stereoselectivity of this process and development of enantioselective cross metathesis reactions will be explored. Asymmetric syntheses using substrate control, by means of chiral tetraenes, and reagent control, through use of chiral Ru complexes, will be examined. A conceptually related photo/thermal (2+2)/retro(2+2) cyclization pathway will also be investigated. Professor Snapper will develop an undergraduate research course, assemble outreach programs that will provide chemistry demonstrations and laboratory equipment to local schools, and initiate a program designed to improve the teaching, speaking, writing, and organizational skills of graduate students. With this CAREER award, the Synthetic Organic Program supports the research and educational activities of Professor Marc L. Snapper of the Department of Chemistry at Boston College. Professor Snapper's research is directed toward the use of a metal catalyzed reaction of compounds containing carbon-carbon double bonds, the so-called olefin metathesis reaction, to effect the formation of various types of organic products. By variation of the specific structures used in this reaction, Professor Snapper is able to prepare compounds which may serve as convenient starting points for the synthesis of more complex molecules of relevance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Professor Snapper's educational activities involve enhancing the research experiences of undergraduates, facilitating the interest of high school students in chemistry through outreach programs, and improving the teaching and communication skills of graduate students.
