2019-2020 Faculty Research Grants
Lisa Ahlberg (Chemistry)
Investigation of 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions: Mechanistic Explorations to Enhance Synthesis of 5-Membered Ring Heterocycles
Several heterocyclic families of organic compounds can by synthesized by a 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition pathway. Our lab is particularly interested in these heterocycles that can serve as medicines against several problems, examples include bacterial infections and Alzheimer’s disease. We have observed that several enzymes can be targeted with compounds that contain the isooxazoline moiety. Making new compounds that contain this moiety not only satisfies our chemical curiosity about the 1,3-dipolar addition, but also creates new possible medicines in the process. This overarching project gives students an opportunity to participate in a number of different types of approaches to research, whether practical needs for new medicinals or mechanistic studies of cycloaddition chemistry.