Despite the power of modern organic chemistry, efficient synthesis of complex molecular scaffolds remains an unmet challenge.  Their intricate ring systems and stereochemical arrays require too many synthetic operations to rapidly produce libraries of analogs.  New technological approaches are needed to forge their varied bonds to provide scalable access to libraries of these molecular architectures.  Through detailed mechanistic study, such technologies can be developed.

The development of general construction reactions will have broad utility in a range of fields that rely on the synthesis of small molecules and functional materials.  One particular area that the Newhouse group focuses on is the total chemical synthesis of carbocyclic frameworks that are known to elicit powerful neurological effects.  These substances will both serve as chemical probes to study fundamental aspects of neurological function and address neurological dysfunction.

We focus our efforts on the development of new synthetic methods to rapidly acquire these structurally complex small molecules. These substances will be exploited for a variety of purposes by collaborating with neuroscientists.

Undergraduates interested in summer research should email a copy of their unofficial transcript by January. Graduate students should apply through the Yale Graduate Program. Prospective postdoctoral scholars should send a single PDF with cover letter, CV, research summary, and copies of all publications.  Please include “POSTDOC APP” in the email title.