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Lepore Group Members
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Dr. Manishabrata (Manish) Bhowmick
Postdoctoral Fellow (October 2007 – present)
Ph. D. Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
M. Sc. Organic Chemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Background: Manish's doctoral research largely involved the development of new asymmetric methods particularly, Lewis acid-catalyzed halohydrin reactions, haloazidations of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, enantioselective chlorination of silyl enol ethers, and asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives by in situ generated DMD. His doctoral work has yielded seven international publications including Tetrahedron Letters, Tetrahedron, Tetrahedron:Asymmetry, and J. Org. Chem.
Current Projects: Manish has spearhead efforts to developing a successful and reproducible route to
synthesize phosphinic pseudodipeptides which are key intermediates for the solid phase synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.
The result of this peptide synthesis is recently submitted for publication. Manish is currently developing a new and regioselective aldol
addition reaction starting from manganese-complexed substituted alkynyl carbonyls to provide highly functionalized allenyl carbonyls.
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Songye Li: Doctoral Student (2005 - present)
B.S. Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin, Tianjin University (2001)
M.S. Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin, Tianjin University (2004)
Background: Bachelor thesis project on the properties and mechanisms of activation of cellulose fibers. Master thesis project on the synthesis and antibacterial mechanism of novel water-soluble chitosan derivatives.
Current Projects: Songye is currently developing new arylsulfonate-based nucleophile assisting leaving groups (NALGs) with enhanced reactivity relative to current methods.
These new leaving groups are currently being evaluated in fluoridation reactions with application to positron emission tomography (PET).
Songye's efforts in this area have been recently published in JOC (2009, 74, 5290). She has also collaborated
with Debo on the development of stereospecific Ti(IV) reactions. This work was recently communicated in Angew Chem Int Ed (2008,
47, 7511).
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Pradip Maity: Doctoral Student (Spring 2006 – present)
B.S. Chemistry, RKM College, Narendrapur, Calcutta University (2001)
M.S. Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (2003)
Background: Master thesis project on the synthesis of medium ring (5-7) cyclopentannulated spiro gamma-lactones via bis Grignard addition.
Current Projects: Pradip is currently working on the development of new methods for the preparation of allenyl carbonyls with eventual application in the total synthesis of vitisinol D, a natural product with activity against platelet aggregation. Pradip developed a methodology to prepare isomeric allenyl and alkynyl esters via selective one-pot dehydration of 3-oxoesters which led to a JOC article (2009,74, 158). This dianion method was also expanded to include the formation of gamma substituted alkynes and alpha substituted allenes form simple acetoacetates. He has also engineered a unique anion-catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillmann reaction leading to gamma-substituted allenyl carbinols allowing for a concise entry into the [3.2.1] bicyclic diketo system. This work was published as a communication in JACS (2009, 131, 4196). Pradip is nearing completion of a full total synthesis of vitisinol D along with few more
methodological developments for substituted allenyl carbonyls.
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Deboprosad “Debo” Mondal: Doctoral Student (2004 - present)
B.S. Chemistry, Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur Calcutta University (2002)
M.S. Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (2004)
Background: Master thesis project on the synthesis of unsymmetrical quinoxalines
Current Projects: Currently Debo is working on the development of new NALG methodology with emphasis on
Ti(IV)-mediated reactions. Debo has five publications in the Lepore group involving NALG methodology including a major review of the leaving
group field in Tetrahedron (2007, 63, 5103). His more recent work (together with Songye) involves reactions
of secondary sulfonates leading to stereoretentive halogenations and amidations using Ti(IV) reagents recently communicated in Angew Chem
Int Ed (2008, 47, 7511). In addition to leaving group research, Debo is also working on development of new
reactions to functionalize alkenes using Ti(IV) reagents.
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Ravinder Sappidi: Master Student (2006 - present)
B.Sc: Osmania University (2002)
M.Sc: University of Hyderabad (2004)
Background: Master thesis was focused on the ab initio calculations, to investigate the electronic structure of the IA group elements.
Current Projects: Synthetic methodologies for the chemoselective preparation of allenyl ester carbinols
using the Mn complexed allenes by an aldol approach. Scale up synthesis of the Fmoc-protected phosphinic pseuedodipeptides.
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Kayla Anthony: Undergraduate Researcher (2009 - present)
B.S. Biology (expected in 2010)
Kayla is working with Songye on the synthesis of new leaving group configurations.
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Erika Palomino: Undergraduate Researcher (2009 - present)
Erika is working with Debo on Ti(IV)/NALG methodology. |
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Jennifer Johns: Undergraduate Researcher (2009 - present)
Jennifer is working with Pradip on the scale-up of intermediates for the total synthesis of vitisinol D.
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