BRENNER RESEARCH

Research Interests We are a synthetic organic research group. Presently, our research interests lie primarily in the field of organocatalysis. Instead of transition metal-based catalysts, in organocatalysis organic molecules are used as catalysts for organic reactions. Illustrated below is the first example of an asymmetric organocatalytic reaction. The amino acid L-proline is the catalyst for this intramolecular aldol reaction. Hajos, Z.G.; Parrish, D.R.J. J. Org. Chem. 1974, 39, 1615-1621. Eder, U.; Sauer, G.; Wiechert, R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1971, 10, 496-497. Organocatalysts can be less expensive, easier to use, “greener” alternatives to oft-used transition metal-based catalysts. Our current research goals are to develop new organocatalysts and new organocatalytic reactions, and to employ both in the synthesis of small, bioactive molecules. Facilities We regularly use our polarimeter and GC, the departmental HPLC and 200 and 400 MHz NMRs, and Prof. Sanchez-Delgado’s FT-IR. In addition, we make use of CUNY’s mass spectrometry facility located on the Hunter College campus. The chemistry department at Brooklyn College has other instrumentation, including LCMS, GCMS, and UV-VIS, that we use less regularly. In addition, CUNY has higher field NMR instruments as well as an X-Ray Crystallography facility that are available for our use. Funding Our research is supported by grants from PSC-CUNY and the NIH.