Academic Staff

Teaching Responsibilities

Subject Coordination

• Master of Chemical Science Coordinator

Teaching

• CHE1GEN - Organic Chemistry Topic
• CHE2 - Organic Chemistry Topic
• CHE3 - Heterocyclic Chemistry Topic
• CHE3 - Secondary Metabolism Topic
• CHE4 Honours Chemistry

For unit descriptions refer to http://www.latrobe.edu.au/chemistry/students/chemsubjects.html

Research Expertise

Our interests lie in the general field of asymmetric synthesis and methodology. Recently, we have had a particular focus on amino acid chemistry.

A. Alkaloid Synthesis

Present efforts are directed toward the synthesis of biologically active pyrrolizidines and indolizidines such as structures 1 and 2.



A substantial body of research has also been completed on the electrophilic cyclisations of substrates like 3. Our intent in the next phase of work is to extend this methodology to give access to a broad range of biologically active polyhydroxy alkaloids of several types including pyrrolizidines, indolizidines and quinolozidines.

B. Macrolide Synthesis

Since 1994 a number of students have studied the synthesis of Amphidinolide J 4. This macrolide is one of the simpler members of the amphidinolide family of marine macrolides. The family has a diverse range of structures and our intent is to attempt syntheses of the more complex, more potent family members as our experience with them grows.

C. Modified Amino Acids

We have been engaged on several projects concerning modified amino acids due to their presence in interesting natural products (see section D). We have utilised 5-oxazolidinones (e.g. 5) to prepare all 20 N-methyl derivatives of the common alpha-amino acids (e.g. 6). These methods have been patented and commercialised through our start-up company, Peptide Solutions Pty Ltd.



Numerous new lines of enquiry are being considered for example unusual amino acids (e.g. 7), beta-amino acids (e.g. 8) and hydroxamic acids (e.g. 9).

D. Peptidic Natural Products

We are working on the synthesis of a number of biologically active heavily N-methylated peptides and depsipeptides. Our studies in section C were inspired by the natural product Petriellin A 10. Since that project commenced our interests have broadened to include Bassiatin 11, Aureobasidin I 12 and Clavariopsin A 13. Many other candidates for synthesis are possible.