Research Interests: The chemical synthesis of carbon based compounds has been a major field of scientific curiosity for over a century, and the subject is still far from being fully developed. For instance, of the almost infinite number and variety of organic structures that can exist, only a small number have actually been prepared and studied. In addition, for the last 100 years there has been a continuing and dramatic growth in the power of the science of constructing complex molecules. As our knowledge of chemical sciences (both fact and theory) has grown so has the power of synthesis. The construction of organic compounds now includes the use of reactions and reagents involving more than sixty of the chemical elements, even though only a dozen or so elements are commonly contained in commercially or biologically significant molecules.

Our group is mainly interested in the development of new and/or simpler ways to make biologically interesting and structurally challenging natural products. We have recently completed the total synthesis of (-)-cryptosporiopsin (anti-fungal and anti-biotic), epi-reisiwigin A, calicogorgin A and C, and manzamine C. Current naturally occurring compounds being targeted include (-)-reiswigin A (anti-herpes), manzamines A and B (anti-cancer and anti-malarial), and (+)-anatoxin A (nAChR agonist).

Our current methodological studies include:

1. the development of diastereroselective and enantioselective [4+3]-cycloadditions,
2. diastereoselective [2+2]-cycloadditions,
3. the synthesis and use of new chiral auxiliaries, and
4. the development of a strategy to convert diosphenols to a-chlorenones.

The impetus for this is driven by human beings, as well as other organisms (for instances dairy animals, vegetable crops, etc.) ever increasing need for new and more specific drugs (or pesticides) to combat natures assault on our "biological environment". Although nature is also the usual supplier of these new drugs, it is often times only in very small quantities and/or not in the most "potent" form. It is then incumbent upon the synthetic organic chemist to not only make these new compounds (as cheaply as possible), but also to make them as active as possible (allowing for small doses to be taken) and as specific as possible (little or no side affects).

Graduates (both undergraduate and graduate students) from my group have gone on to do some of the following:

1. Ph.D. and MSc. graduate students in Canada and abroad,
2. research assistants at government and pharmaceutical research facilities in Canada and the U.S.,
3. medical doctors,
4. academia,
5. post-doctoral studies in Canada, the U.S and abroad,
6. sales representative for pharmaceutical firms.

Structures of Compounds Synthesized or Being Targeted for Synthesis:

Methodological Studies:

List of publications

Recent refereed conference proceedings