Our overall program is interested in fundamental issues regarding the evolution and chemotherapeutic potential of polyketide natural products. Using the power of both biological as well as chemical synthesis, we seek to learn about the specific structural features found in polyketides, their effect on conformational preferences, and the importance of specific conformations on biological activity. We have utilized total synthesis to access complex natural product and determine their conformational preferences in solution using a combination of computational and high-field NMR techniques. We have recently focused on the trisubstituted alkenes as conformational control elements in natural products such as zampanolide, dactylolide and GEX1A. We have now utilized this information along with inspiration from their unique biosynthesis to design analogues of these compounds that populate ground state conformations and maintain potent biological activity.

Conformation-activity relationships in complex natural products inspired by biosynthesis

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.