Enabling synthetic chemistry underpins all the ongoing research in the group. The motivation of such studies is most often inspired by a desire to pursue functionally important target molecules for a range of applications; from medicinal chemistry and chemical biology to chiral materials chemistry.

Chemical Synthesis

Target-based synthesis

Targets for synthetic chemistry selected by our group are linked to our desire to employ such molecules in a range of multidisciplinary applications. Selected target classes include:

Natural products. Natural products continue to inspire synthetic chemists, often due to their molecular complexity and the challenges this presents for regio-, chemo- and stereo-selective bond construction. Furthermore, naturally isolated small molecules remain "privileged” in their broad range of biological activities. Research in the group continues around the total and/or semi-synthesis of a variety of natural products, linked to our medicinal chemistry and chemical biological studies. Previous targets of the group include psammaplin A and chaetocin, which have been reported to possess key activity against enzymes involved in epigenetic gene regulation. Representative publications: Nat. Prod. Rep. 2013, 30, 605. DOI; Nature Chem. Biol. 2013, 9, 136. DOI; J. Med Chem. 2012, 55, 1731. DOI.

Target-based synthesis

Synthetic targets. Linked to our interest in helical aromatics, conformationally interesting (and often chiral) conjugated systems are key targets for the group. We have published novel methods to control/install a number of forms of molecular chirality including point, axial, and helical chirality. Indeed, while selective methods to create or control single centres displaying point chirality are widespread, effective means of controlling planar, axial and helical chirality are underdeveloped. Representative publications Synlett 2013 24, 2365. DOI Org. Lett. 2013 15, 1706. DOI.

Contact

Matthew J. Fuchter FRSC
Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus
Wood Lane, London, W12 OBZ

m.fuchter@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8594 5815