In this project, funded by the MPS-LEAPS (Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways) Program and managed by the Division of Chemistry (CHE) at NSF, Professor Murphy and his students at Tennessee Technological University (TTU) will perform studies that aim to advance the frontiers of organic chemistry through the exploration of furfural as a starting material for novel compounds. A major need in the scientific community is to develop and contribute to new pathways in combating dangerous bacteria as well as microplastic contaminants in the environment. Toward this end, Professor Murphy and his students will synthesize N-acyl hydrazones (NAHs) from furfural, which will be a versatile platform for heterocycle formation, catalysis, and antimicrobial discovery. Their research could deepen the mechanistic understanding of oxidative cyclizations, microplastic degradation, and bioactivity of such NAH compounds. This project will provide students experience in experimental design, modern instrumentation, and problem-solving. Professor Murphy and his students will synthesize NAH compounds and analogs derived from furfural, a biomass-derived chemical feedstock. This project will investigate these NAH compounds for the following aims: i) developing high-yielding, synthetic methods to access NAH and NAH-like compounds, ii) exploring oxidative cyclization reactions to form valuable heterocycles such as oxadiazoles, iii) evaluating NAH derivatives as organocatalysts for depolymerizing pol