Strained hydrocarbons are valuable reagents for chemical synthesis due to their “spring-loaded” nature. We have recently developed an approach to structurally complex strained molecules (see bicyclobutane examples, below) and are interested in probing chemical transformations which harness the strain-energy of these unique reagents to rapidly build molecular complexity and to selectively modify biomolecules. This project will explore designer bicyclobutanes and the strained molecule “propellane” in alkylation, radical addition and cycloaddition chemistry, including for the modification of peptides and bioactive small molecules.

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