Enantioselective Synthesis of b-amino acids

North Dakota State University Fargo, Fargo ND

Investigators

Abstract

The focus of this research is to develop methodology for the enantioselective addition of nitrogen nucleophiles to enamides and alkylidene malonate using catalytic amounts of chiral Lewis acids. Further, a complementary chiral Lewis acid-mediated protocol in which carbon nucleophiles add selectively to N-substituted methylidene malonates will be developed. The resulting methodology will be used for the preparation indolizidine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids with biological activity. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Mukund Sibi of the Department of Chemistry at North Dakota State University. Professor Sibi will develop new methodology for the preparation of optically active beta-amino acids. The research could have broader impact in the synthesis of compounds and materials of interest to the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.