# Asymmetric Synthesis of Nitrogen Heterocycles

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE · 2020 · $323,451

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Nitrogen is the fourth most common element in pharmaceuticals and biologically active molecules, after
only C, H and O. Its incidence greatly eclipses that of other important elements such as S and F. Methods to
introduce nitrogen moieties into commonly available starting materials would provide practitioners with rapid
access to more complex structures. We have had a long-standing interest in assembling nitrogen heterocycles
due to their prevalence and importance. Our work began with approaches to construction of bicyclic structures
using cycloaddition chemistry. Over time, it evolved to using C–H activation and generating monocyclic
structures. With an eye towards increased utility and impact, we have continued to evolve our approach to
using increasingly abundant alkene partners with broadly versatile amine derivatives for the continued
synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles as well as acyclic scaffolds. Thus, this competitive renewal is focused on
several complementary venues:
Aim 1: Stereospecific Catalytic Alkene Difunctionalization Reactions. Alkenes are among the most ubiquitous
starting materials available. The delivery of two functionalities across the stereochemically defined alkene
allows access to complementary diastereomers if the reaction is stereospecific. We will develop a suite of
difunctionalization reactions including carboamination, carbocarbation and related transformations. Where
possible we will use unfunctionalized precursors in such a way to increase utility and ease of execution.
Aim 2: Chemoselective Coupling of Alkenes and Nitrogen Electrophiles. We will extend alkene functionalization
chemistry to convert simple -olefins directly into pyrrolidines, piperidines and allylic amine derivatives,
functionalizing not just the alkene itself but also the allylic, homoallylic and bis-homoallylic positions.
Aim 3: Design of Artificial Metalloenzymes for Enhanced Reactivity and Asymmetric Catalysis. Many of these
reactions create chiral products. We will control the absolute stereochemistry of the transformations with novel
metalloenzymes derived from transition metal catalysts docked within monomeric streptavidin protein scaffolds.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9985136
- **Project number:** 5R01GM080442-14
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Tomislav Rovis
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $323,451
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-09-21 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9985136

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9985136, Asymmetric Synthesis of Nitrogen Heterocycles (5R01GM080442-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9985136. Licensed CC0.

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