Organic Reaction Design
We develop unique methods for new bond construction with a focus on C-N and C-C bonds. Students are trained in reaction setup, monitoring, work up, and purification. Product analysis includes NMR, HRMS, IR, and HPLC.
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Enantioselective Catalysis
Many new methods of interested involve the formation of chiral centers. The most efficient process for synthesizing single enantiomer molecules involves enantioselective transition metal catalysis. Students learn the principles of catalyst design, including how to handle air-sensitive metals and ligands.
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Pharmaceutical Development
The functionalized small molecules isolated from reaction development are potential treatments for disease. Compounds are tested in biological assays through collaborations. All chiral molecules are tested as racemates, when possible, since either enantiomer can display novel biological activity.
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MEET JEREMY
Jeremy B. Morgan, Professor and Department Chair, morganj at uncw.edu
Jeremy was born and raised in Princeton, WV. He entered West Virginia University with plans to attend pharmacy school but fell in love with organic chemistry. He completed a B.S. in Chemistry at WVU before pursing a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His graduate work under the direction of Jim Morken included projects focused on enantioselective catalysis of boron-containing organic molecules. Jeremy completed an NIH-funded post-doctoral stint at the University of California, Irvine with Larry Overman, where he studied dipolar cycloadditions for complex nitrogen-containing molecule synthesis. His independent academic career at UNC Wilmington in began in 2007. He currently works on enantioselective reaction development for nitrogen-containing small molecule synthesis, funded by NIH. Other projects include small molecule derivatives for pharmaceutical applications.