A central focus of modern synthetic organic chemistry is the design of new reactions and synthesis strategies that will facilitate the construction of complex molecules. We are interested in developing fundamental approaches to the assembly of stereochemically dense architecture that have the potential to facilitate investigations aimed at discovery of biologically active small molecules.

Our lab is composed of three core components as a means to realize our goals: Reaction Methodology/Synthesis Strategy: This area of research is the central focus of our efforts to define enabling techniques for the facile synthesis of complex molecules. We are particularly concerned with issues regarding stereo- and regiocontrol in the development of new carbon-carbon bond-forming processes. The overall goal of our efforts is to define chemical methods and synthetic strategies that provide for a reduction in the number of chemical transformations required to prepare complex molecules. This goal is coupled to the search for general concepts that are applicable to the synthesis of a wide range of structurally diverse targets. Natural Product Synthesis: In concert with our efforts focusing on the development of new synthetic methods, we are actively engaged in research aimed at demonstrating the utility of these methods in the synthesis of biologically important natural products. Current targets include: proansamycin B-1, anguinomycin A, dictyostatin, erythronolide A, macbecin I, and siphonarin B. Diversity-Oriented Synthesis: As our synthetic methods aim to define efficient and flexible pathways to achieve the syntheses of complex molecules, such technology has the potential of providing pathways for the discovery of novel small molecules with important biological activities. Our research in this area is currently focused on the development of a general synthesis pathway to enable the discovery of synthetic polyketides with novel anticancer and antibiotic properties. This research is being carried out through collaborative efforts with the Department of Pharmacology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Yale University School of Medicine, as well as the Yale University Center for Genomics and Proteomics.