Our lab aims to develop a multifaceted research program focusing on asymmetric methods development and natural product synthesis as the means for fueling biological investigations. Our research program will provide students with training across multiple scientific fields and aid in their understanding of the interplay between chemistry and biology. Representative research areas include C–H activation, asymmetric C–C bond formation, novel methods to access carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen containing ring systems, and the synthesis of challenging medium-ring natural products. 

Synthesis of Medium-Ring Heterocycles

Our laboratory has developed a ring expansion approach to the transformation of simple alcohols into challenging medium-ring ethers. Our first report employing tertiary benzylic alcohols can be found here: 
​Org. Lett. 2016, 18, 1896-1899.
​Current efforts are to expand this method to a general approach to oxygen and nitrogen containing rings.

Medium-Rings in Natural Product Synthesis

We have an interest in natural products containing medium-sized rings, both heterocyclic and carbocyclic.  We use these scaffolds as opportunities for novel reaction development and the development of concise, scalable approaches to these molecules. We are also interested in studying the biology of complex medium-ring natural product analogues, accessed via late-stage diversifications.

Development of Cationic Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

 Discovered during the course of our alcohol ring expansions, we are actively working to further develop the chemistry of novel, nitrogen-ligated HVI reagents.  These compounds possess dramatically enhanced reactivity versus traditional HVI compounds and hold the potential to expand the scope of current reactions accessible via HVIs.
FUNDING
The Wengryniuk Lab is grateful to the following funding agencies for their support of our work!