As a synthetic organic chemist, my research involves development of new methodology for the construction of bioactive natural products: alkaloids, cyclic ether arrays, & C-glycosides. Current studies include:

• Investigation & use of oxazolone as a useful heterocyclic scaffold for alkaloid synthesis - studies of intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions with oxazolone as dienophile.

• Novel organosilane chemistry for approaches to bioactive ethers - concise assembly of cis-fused bicyclic ether arrays via intramolecular attack of vinylsilanes at tethered oxocarbenium ions. A related silyl-activated Friedel-Krafts process requires an unusual combination of electronic & steric effects.

Recently completed targets include 2-epi-pumiliotoxin C & deoxyaltholactone. Similar approaches to gephyrotoxin & dysiherbaine are underway.