In this project, Professor Ming Xian of the Department of Chemistry at Brown University is investigating novel reactions of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO). The goal of this research is to develop useful synthetic methods and chemical tools based on RSNO compounds. Synthetic methods developed in this study could be used for the advanced manufacturing of challenging heteroatom containing compounds for medicinal applications. The project lies at the interface of organic chemistry and chemical biology. It provides excellent training opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. S-Nitrosothiols (RSNO) are known mediators in nitric oxide (NO)-based signaling transduction. As highly unstable molecules, the reactions of RSNO, particularly those that could be used for synthesis and chemical biology, are still limited. Their preliminary studies indicate that RSNO are useful synthons for the construction of sulfur-, nitrogen-, and/or oxygen-containing products. In this project, Professor Ming Xian and his team will test if RSNO and their reaction intermediates with different reagents could be used to prepare a variety of valuable products including heterocyclic compounds and peptides. These studies will advance the knowledge of RSNO and enable further understanding of their potential in chemistry and chemical biology. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.