Event

Strategy and Methodology Advances Inspired by Natural and Unnatural Compounds

The process of chemical synthesis comprises a sequence of reactions that progressively elevate the complexity of a starting material, ultimately transforming it into the desired end product. While the specific reactions – or tactics – employed for each step are undeniably crucial for success, the underlying strategy is arguably of greater significance. Ideally, this strategy should address the primary structural challenges of the target molecule, while also enabling the synthesis of analogous compounds. In this presentation, I will delve into the strategic and tactical considerations that shaped our work on the synthesis of several families of natural products, as well as the methodological advances that have emerged from these studies.

Viresh Rawal received his PhD under Michael P. Cava from the University of Pennsylvania (1986) and carried out postdoctoral work with Professor Gilbert Stork (Columbia University). He commenced his independent career at Ohio State University in 1988, and in 1995 moved to the University of Chicago, where he is Professor of Chemistry. He has delivered over 300 plenary and invited lectures and his work has been recognized through several awards, including the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry E.C. Taylor Award (2022) and the ACS Award for Creative Work in Organic Synthesis (2024).