Senior Chemistry Students' Research Projects at the

235th ACS National Meeting and Conference

in New Orleans, April 6 to 10, 2008

 

The following are photos of Adrienne Conklin, Luisa Martinez Troncoso and Krystsina Ivanova, with research supervisor  Dr. Kenneth Yamaguchi:

Adrienne Conklin

 

Luisa Martinez Troncoso

Krystsina Ivanova

Featured Research Projects

 

Research Supervisor:  Dr. Kenneth Yamaguchi

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Synthesis of a  Series of 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines

By Adrienne Conklin 

Substituted o-phenylenediamines and ketones were used with the catalyst Yb(OTf)3 to synthesize a series of 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiapines.  The synthesis conditions and the substrate substituents were varied to optimize the yield of this reaction.  Experimental parameters and spectroscopic evidence for the synthesis of these substituted 1,5-benzodiapines were presented.

 

Hantzch Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridine

By Krystsina Ivanova

 

A family of 1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHP) were synthesized via the Hantzsch condensation reaction using microwave energy.  The synthesisof this 1,4-DHP products was optimized from a variety of aldehydes, urea, and ethylacetoacetonate. These compounds commercially serve a a main ingredient in drugs for treatment of high blood pressure and as "calcium channel blockers." The synthetic conditions for this reaction were discussed.  

 

 

Synthesis of Substituted Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester

By Luisa Martinez Troncoso

 

In this experiment, a series of substituted benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl esters was synthesized under microwave-assisted conditions.  Microwave-assisted organic synthesis does not only improve reaction yields, but also decrease reaction time.  It helps shorten the synthesis and isolation of products and in turn reduces environmental hazards. A variety of substituted salicylaldehyde and B-halogenated ethyl acetate esters was combined using a phase-transfer agent, different microwavable solvents, and bases. The synthetic conditions for this base- catalyzed cyclocondensation reactions were presented.  Several reaction modifications were done to increase yields.  The desired product for this synthesis is a heterocycle compound.  Heterocycles are an important class of organic compounds because of their biological activity and industrial importance.