Nguyen Group Research

Research in our group focuses on developing new methods and reagents that can potentially solve longstanding synthetic problems. We are particularly interested in exploring transition metal-catalyzed formation of C-C, C-O, C-N, and C-F bonds.  The methods that we have developed will be applied as the key steps towards the chemical synthesis of complex natural products of importance in human medicine.

A major emphasis of this research program involves the exploration of nickel and palladium catalysts in the stereocontrolled synthesis of 1,2-cis-2-aminosugars and alpha-glycosyl ureas, allowing for the synthesis of heparin, glycoconjugates associated with H. pylori, antigen glycopeptides constructs, and cinodine whose potential for anti-thrombin, anti-cancer, and anti-viral therapies are being investigated.

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Recently, we also involve the development of new rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric reactions with allylic trichloroacetimidates. The methods that we develop will play a key role in the synthesis of biologically active target molecules. These efforts will facilitate their use as therapeutic agents and PET imaging as well as the design of non-natural analogues for drug discovery.