The focus of this research is on the chemistry of organic compounds of sulfur and selenium. Major areas of effort are six-fold and include: 1) Dithiin chemistry, especially the synthesis and study of the reaction chemistry of 1,2-dithiins; 2) Synthesis and study of 1,2-dithiocins, 1,4-dithiocins, higher ring homologs of 1,2-dithiins and likely thermal sources of singlet S2; 3) Research on Allium chemistry; 4) Investigation of the chemistry of shiitake mushroom flavorants; 5) Development of new reagents for organic synthesis, and; 6) Characterization of highly reactive small organosulfur compounds using microwave spectroscopy. With this renewal award, the Synthetic Organic Program is supporting the research of Dr. Eric Block of the Chemistry Department at SUNY, Albany. Professor Block will focus his work on the chemistry of organic compounds of sulfur and selenium. The projects in this broadly based research program range from the study of the chemistry of garlic and onion to the development of new reagents for organic synthesis.
