Award Abstract #0135056
PECASE: The Utilization of Complex Molecule Synthesis to Drive the Development of New Reaction Methods that Promote New Directions in Synthesis. A 'Teufelskreis' of Opportunity.

NSF Org:	CHE Division of Chemistry
Initial Amendment Date:	January 7, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	May 5, 2004
Award Number:	0135056
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	Tingyu Li CHE Division of Chemistry MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	February 1, 2002
Expires:	January 31, 2007 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$634500
Investigator(s):	Brian Stoltz stoltz@caltech.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	California Institute of Technology 1200 E California Blvd PASADENA, CA 91125 626/395-6219
NSF Program(s):	METHODOLOGY
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1187, 1076, 1045, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1950

ABSTRACT



Proposal Title: PECASE: The Utilization of Complex Molecule Synthesis to Drive the Development of New Reaction Methods that Promote New Directions in Synthesis. A 'Teufelskreis' of Opportunity.

Institution: California Institute of Technology

The focus of this research is to develop new synthetic methodology in the context of complex molecule synthesis. Projects involving palladium-catalyzed oxidative [4+2] cycloaddition reactions and tandem Bamford-Stevens/Claisen rearrangements will be carried out and a concise, stereoselective route to the hypoglycemogenic diterpenoid, saudin will be developed. In the educational realm, courses on synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry are being developed and outreach activities enabling students to interact with the broader local community are in place.

With this PECASE award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research and educational efforts of Dr. Brian Stoltz of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. Professor Stoltz will focus his research on the development of new synthetic methodology within the framework of natural product total synthesis. The illustrative target molecule, saudin, has interesting biological properties of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. The education activities will stress outreach to local middle schools and high schools and will also focus on course development at the undergraduate and graduate level.

This project was originally funded as a CAREER award, and was converted to a Presidential Early Career Award for Engineers and Scientists (PECASE) award in May 2004.

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