Ongoing Projects
01
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Enantioselective Electron Transfer Reactions via Mechano-chemistry
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Group Members: He jiahao
Mechanochemistry has been widely applied in organic synthesis due to its ease of scale-up. Asymmetric mechanochemistry is less well studied and tolerance of different types of organic reactions is still limited. Our project aims to study SET-mediated reactions under mechanochemistry conditions and to carry out mechanistic study for a better understanding of the differences between reactions using solvents and mechanical conditions.
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02
Systems Chemistry Through Compartmentalised Biomimetic Catalysis
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Group Members: Esther Ang, Huang Chi
We are interested to study biomimetic catalysis through the use of ion pair catalysts derived from chiral cations and anionic cofactors. We the like to explore a network of multiple biomimetic catalytic reactions using a compartmentalization strategy .
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03
Development of a Computational and Mechanistic Model for Phase Transfer Catalysis
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Group Members: Cheong Choon Boon
The development of phase transfer catalysts have resulted in the access to a myriad of novel reactions. There are still gaps in understanding of the mechanism using phase transfer catalysis. In particular, the nature of the the interfacial layer between water and organic solvent is still unclear. The development of a computational model using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation will allow us to "see" its mechanism of action in greater detail. We also like to study the interfacial lyer using different analytical techniques.
04
Regio and Stereoselective Functionalisation of Fatty Acids
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Group Members: Xie Hao
Even though alkyl C(sp3)-H functionalization has seen significant improvements in the past few years, long chain fatty acids have yet to be investigated as starting substrates for C(sp3)-H activation reactions. Our group believes functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds at specific positions along the alkyl chain of long chain fatty acids will generate a library of novel, unique and unnatural fatty acids which are likely to have their own unique properties and bioactivities.
Chirality Transfer from Nanoscale to Molecules
05
Group Members: Lay Chee Leng, Liu Zeyuan, Shen Pingchuan, Li Jiaxin, Fang Xinyu
We seek to investigate how chiral nanostructures may be applied in asymmetric catalysis, probing the question of whether nanoscale chirality can be transferred to molecular chirality. This work will shed light into the origin of biomolecular homochirality and also absolute asymmetric synthesis.