Synthesis of 1-AZA-Bicyclic Compounds

Undergraduate Project 

Investigators:  Pier Cirillo, Lecturer of Chemistry, Lucia Moreno, Kyle Lambert

Sponsor: Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships 2010 and 2011.

Project  Description:  For centuries, ancient Chinese medicine (Ku Shen) has employed the root of Sophora Flavescens in the treatment of various ailments such as diarrhea, jaundice, skin rashes, and to kill parasites. One of the major alkaloids of interest found within the root of the Sophora plant is matrine (below), a compound containing  1-aza bicyclic structural motifs called quinolizidine.

MatrineDr. Cirillo, a consultant for L 2 Diagnostics of New Haven, CT, is developing new iridium- or rhodium- catalyzed methodology for the synthesis of quinolizidines, with the aim to extend its application towards the synthesis of matrine and analogs.