Building molecules with the correct atom connectivity and the correct 3-dimensional shape is time consuming, expensive, and exceedingly difficult.
The McErlean Research Group works to develop novel reactions and apply known reactions in novel ways, to reduce the complexity inherent in the synthesis of natural products, agrichemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Ultimately, we aim to build important target molecules in an open flask, at ambient temperature, using non-speciality equipment and economical chemicals.
Our research group is interested in developing novel reactions, and applying known reactions in a novel manner to reduce the complexity inherent in natural product synthesis.
Food security is an increasingly important issue. To increase crop-yields, one branch of current agrichemical research is centred on the development of plant growth promoters. We have a research program to generate the naturally occurring phytohormones called strigolactones, which hold great potential in this endeavour. We use a range of catalytic techniques to generate these molecules as single enantiomers.
As the smallest reactive unit, unpaired electrons (radicals) allow some bond-forming reactions to occur that would otherwise be difficult.
We have a program to generate radicals in a chemoselective and energy efficient manner for the streamlined synthesis of important targets.
The 'umpolung' addition of aldehydes onto unsaturated carbonyl compounds is an under-utilised method for carbon-carbon bond construction. We are investigating variants of this reaction that allow for the rapid construction of fused-ring systems from simple starting materials. We are also exploring the ability of the Stetter reaction to install new stereocentres under substrate control.
The classical Stetter reaction can be used to generated the trans, syn, transstereochemical arrangement seen in naturally occurring polycyclic ethers.
By using 'extended' Michael acceptors in the Stetter reaction, products with increased synthetic potential can easily be generated. The reaction can be conducted in an asymmetric fashion.
