Complex molecule synthesis is one of the key disciplines of modern chemical research. The development of new methods for the synthesis and derivatization of such structures is a multi-dimensional activity involving reaction design, development, and application. Research in our group focuses on each of these aspects of chemical synthesis. Utilizing the architecture and design principles presented by biologically relevant structures and processes, we seek to discover new reactions and to apply new principles to the selective synthesis of complex molecules.

As part of this program, we bring to bear the full arsenal of modern synthetic chemistry. Employing rational design, combinatorial screening and a constantly evolving collective intuition, we are working to discover new chemical transformations that enable the rapid synthesis of stereochemically complex structures. In addition, we are investigating the development of new catalysts for the selective functionalization of these molecules.

A particular interest is in the catalytic modification of natural products. These studies are enabling access to an expansive set of biologically inspired natural product analogs. A key component of all of this work is the determination of the fundamental molecular interactions that are responsible for reaction selectivities. As a result, mechanistic analysis is at the heart of many of our studies.