research overview
- The Walczak research group is interested in the development of tools and strategies for constructing molecular complexity at the level of small molecules and biologics. We plan to explore innovative approaches to address unsolved chemical and biological questions in which the control of chemical reactivity and efficiency are the central challenges. Our problems are identified based on their mechanistic/structural features and potential impact outside chemical sciences. Studies on new catalytic transformations that focus on controlling the absolute and relative stereochemistry are particularly attractive to us, and it is our goal to establish a general framework for reaction discovery and optimization based on mechanistic and structural insights. Additionally, total synthesis of natural products displaying intriguing chemical characteristics and promising biological activities will be a significant component of the research portfolio.
