Organic & Biological chemistry research group lie in the field organic chemistry, focusing on the stereoselective synthesis, mechanistic studies, organometallic and heterocycle chemistry and total synthesis of natural and non-natural products. In collaboration with the Chemical Biology Platform, the Organic Chemistry Program is identifying the principles that underlie diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) and piloting new DOS pathways. Diversity synthesis is used to achieve a complete synthesis of small and complex molecule of biological importance.

Methods development. The aim of our research group is to design and develop new synthetic tools, allowing ultimately for the efficient and rapid synthesis of novel targets and biological relevant compounds. The generation of new synthetic methods to drive the assembly of a screening collection of small molecules is a central focus within the organic synthesis Program. Method development is conducted with the aim of expanding chemical diversity in novel and highly efficient ways. In addition to reaction development, new technology platforms such as microwave instrumentation are often applied to enhance small-molecule synthesis.

Due to the extensive synthetic expertise currently in the Organic & Biological Chemistry, original synthetic methods may be developed so that the new method could be applied in the synthesis of small and complex molecules such as natural productsin an efficient and cost-effective manner.

• Improved experimental design and/or procedures, the availability of individual chemical compounds and/or reagents.
• Chemical synthesis of compounds those are not readily available.
• Synthesis of new reagents including selenium, Hypervalent iodine reagents and their use in the synthesis of biologically important molecules for preclinical pharmacological study, applications in ionic liquids and in material science
• Use of selenium catalysis in carbon-carbon formation particularly in cyclization reactions.

Pathway development. The use of small molecules to probe normal and disease-associated biological phenomena is an important aspect of modern chemical biology. Intrinsic to this approach is the need for a collection of molecules to screen against a wide variety of biological areas. Determining which molecules to include within a screening collection and how to obtain them rests firmly on the field of synthetic organic chemistry. Within the Chemical Biology Program, we develop synthetic pathways aimed at generating biologically active molecules. Our focus is on the design and execution of pathways that deliver diverse small molecules in a highly efficient manner.

Focus Areas

Organic synthesis, Organometallics, Selenium and Boron-based Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry