New Synthetic Methods and Theranostics via Organic Photoredox Catalysis

Hosted By: Prof. Shunsuke Chiba

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Abstract

Single electron pathways are common in the biological realm and are integral to photosynthesis and physiological processes in humans. As synthetic chemists, we seek to harness the power of single electron mediated pathways to more efficiently make the pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials that the modern world requires. My group seeks to use organic salts as excited state catalysts to mediate single electron processes in the development of new chemical transformations. This lecture will give a brief background to organic photoredox catalysis and cover some of the reactivity from my group including functional group interconversion to bioisosteres, organic super reductants and C-11 and F-18 radiolabeling reactions. This lecture will also briefly introduce applications of the radiolabeling technology to targeted radiotherapy with At-211.

Biography

Professor David A. Nicewicz received his Bachelor’s (2000) and Master’s (2001) degrees in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 under the mentorship of Professor Jeffrey S. Johnson. His doctoral research focused on novel Brook Rearrangement transformations and culminated in the total synthesis of Zaragozic Acid C. Following his Ph.D., Professor Nicewicz undertook postdoctoral research as a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor David W. C. MacMillan (2021 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). In 2009, Professor Nicewicz joined the faculty at UNC Chapel Hill as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015, Full Professor in 2018, and was named the inaugural Royce Murray Term Professor of Chemistry in 2020. He is also a co-founder of LED Radiofluidics, a company that offers imaging services and automated PET tracer modules.