Research

Our research is directed at the development of new stereoselective carbon-carbon bond-forming processes and employing these methods in organic synthesis.  The reactions that particularly interest us are those that proceed by unique reaction mechanisms and display useful stereoselectivities.  As part of our program, we have studied the reactions of strained ring silanes, which led us to develop new reactions of silylenes and to examine the applications of these species in organic synthesis. We have also advanced the understanding of the structures and reactions of oxocarbenium ions, and we have developed stereoelectronic models that explain and predict their reactivity. Our applications of allylic silane chemistry to the synthesis of heterocycles led to the development of several syntheses of natural products, including erythronolide A.  In addition, we are developing methods for the synthesis of organic peroxides, a family of compounds that includes a large number of biologically active natural products.  Please see our list of publications to get a feel for the types of projects ongoing in our laboratory.