School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS
Lab Number: E503
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS
++44 (0)117 928 9000 Ext. 4251
++44 (0)117 929 8611
Postdoctoral Research (1994-1997)
Funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
My work at Bristol has been two-fold: firstly, to develop novel methods for the synthesis of C-2 enol ethers of 3-pyrrolidinones (1), for eventual use in the synthesis of the shellfish poison, saxitoxin (STX) (2) and its congeners (the gonyautoxin series of marine biotoxins). These toxins have been implicated in several recent incidences of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in the U.S. and elsewhere, and as such pose a serious risk to public health world-wide.
The second aspect of this research has been to synthesise an authentic sample of saxitoxin for use as an internal standard.
Postgraduate Research (1991-1994)
Funded by Agrevo UK Ltd (formerly Schering Agrochemicals Ltd)
Applications of Allene Sulfoxides in Heterocycle Synthesis and Studies Towards the Herbicidins
Allene sulfoxide chemistry was employed for the synthesis of benzothienopyrans and furanopyrans, the latter representing a useful subunit of the herbicidin glycoside. Herbicidin (3) has shown useful biological activity (as a herbicide!) against dicots (broad-leaved plants) and also many monocots (grasses) with the notable exception of rice, an important and usually staple-crop in several Third World countries.
The herbicidins are also reported to possess antibacterial activity.
