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- Creators: Chemical Engineering Program
- Creators: School of International Letters and Cultures
Targeting Tumors: Inclusion of Functional Groups on Ion-Containing Block Copolymers to Combat Cancer
The FDA-approved drug bexarotene has been predominantly utilized for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTLC), but has shown promise as an off label treatment for various other cancers as well as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, harmful side effects such as hypothyroidism have catalyzed a search for alternative rexinoids which retain similar levels of RXR agonism while reducing the undesirable effects incurred by bexarotene. This honors thesis outlines the steps taken to design and synthesize novel analogues of the selective retinoid-X-receptor (RXR) agonist 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]benzoic acid (bexarotene). Corresponding NMR spectra indicates the successful construction of four novel compounds which are structurally similar to known, biologically-evaluated rexinoids that have induced fewer side effects while stimulating greater levels of RXR selectivity as compared to bexarotene. Future In vitro analyses of these four analogues coupled with the recognized efficacy of their parent compounds demonstrate the chemotherapeutic potential of structurally modified bexarotene analogues
This thesis is about how Fe catalysts can be degraded using photocatalysis and how Fe catalysts can degrade small molecules in conjunction with light. The goal of this paper is to look further into more sustainable methods of organic chemistry. Many current organic chemistry practices involve the use of precious metals. Iron is a more sustainable catalyst because it is abundant and inexpensive which is important for preserving the earth and making the organic chemistry more accessible. Along the same lines, light is a renewable energy source and has demonstrated its ability to aid in reactions. Overall, the goal of this paper is to explore the more sustainable alternatives to harsh and toxic organic chemistry practices through the use of Iron and light.
Chemistry has always played a foundational role in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. With the rapid growth of the global population, the health and medical needs have also rapidly increased. In order to provide drugs capable of mediating symptoms and curing diseases, organic chemistry provides drug derivatives utilizing a limited number of chemical building blocks and privileged structures. Of these limited building blocks, this project explores Late–stage C–H functionalization of (iso)quinolines using abundant metal catalysis in order to achieve site-selective molecular modification.