Our research encompasses all aspects of synthetic organic chemistry – from the total synthesis of biologically active molecules to the development of new synthetic methods, including transition metal-catalyzed transformations and cascade processes. 

 

We aim to use the exciting and challenging chemical structures displayed by bioactive natural products to inspire the development of new and general reactivity, and to devise efficient syntheses that enable further biological explorations. We have particular interests in (asymmetric) transition metal catalysis, sulfur cascade reactions, and heteroatom-substituted alkynes. Our work in these various areas has a strong element of mechanistic study, where we collaborate with Prof Fernanda Duarte (University of Oxford). 

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Our interests extend to the uses of organic chemistry in other disciplines. We collaborate with Prof. Greg Challis (University of Warwick) on exploring aspects of the biosynthesis of polyketide natural products. We have strong links to the group of Prof Xihe Bi at Northeast Normal University, Changchun, where we are interested in the reactions of vinyl azides, silver catalysis, and carbene chemistry. We collaborate with Dr. Richard Wheeler (University of Oxford) to explore anti-parasitic natural products. We also work with Dr. Janet Lovett (University of St. Andrews) and Prof. Tom Brown (University of Oxford) on the development of novel probes for EPR spectroscopy in nucleic acids. Our work is linked to a number of industrial collaborators through the Oxford SBM CDTand EPSRC funding, with previous projects being linked to Pfizer, Syngenta, UCB, Janssen, Novartis and Roche.

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