Toward an Efficient Synthesis of Fusarochromanone
Conference Year
January 2019
Abstract
Fusarochromanone is a fungal metabolite and mycotoxin produced by Fusarium equiseti. Fusarochromanone has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), prevent cell reproduction, and even induce apoptosis (cell death) in several types of cancer cells, including glioblastomas and melanomas. The molecular mechanisms of the bio-activity of fusarochromanone are not well understood at this time. Further research may spur development of promising anti-cancer drugs. However, fusarochromanone is not readily available in useful quantities for investigation. The goal of this project is to develop a method of synthesizing fusarochromanone simply and cheaply on a large scale so that its potential as a cancer treatment may be explored. Thus far, we have optimized an existing method to produce fusarochromanone more efficiently and are continuing to develop a new total synthesis.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Matthias Brewer
Graduate Student Mentors
Nicholas Dodge
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Chemistry
Primary Research Category
Engineering & Physical Sciences
Toward an Efficient Synthesis of Fusarochromanone
Fusarochromanone is a fungal metabolite and mycotoxin produced by Fusarium equiseti. Fusarochromanone has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), prevent cell reproduction, and even induce apoptosis (cell death) in several types of cancer cells, including glioblastomas and melanomas. The molecular mechanisms of the bio-activity of fusarochromanone are not well understood at this time. Further research may spur development of promising anti-cancer drugs. However, fusarochromanone is not readily available in useful quantities for investigation. The goal of this project is to develop a method of synthesizing fusarochromanone simply and cheaply on a large scale so that its potential as a cancer treatment may be explored. Thus far, we have optimized an existing method to produce fusarochromanone more efficiently and are continuing to develop a new total synthesis.