Overview:

Organic synthesis is an important discipline which continues to play a valuable role in drug discovery and biomedical research. The Porco laboratory is developing novel synthetic methodologies for concise entry to bioactive complex molecules. In a main area of interest, biomimetic approaches to natural products are being pursued as a means to formulate biosynthetic hypotheses and invent new synthetic methodology to important synthetic targets. As part of our studies, we have taken opportunities to address key questions and contemporary needs in organic chemistry including asymmetric catalysis of photocycloadditions, enantioselective dearomatization, and atropselective synthesis. Our laboratory also has a growing interest in translational collaborations with biological investigators to identify bioactive molecules.