Synthesis of Chiral Drugs

Group Members: Lim Seok Ting 10S76

Angie Phua 10S7A

What is our project about?

Synthesis of Phytophthora insect mating hormone

Phytophthora: devastating plant pathogens Causes substantial yield losses in agricultural

crops worldwide

What is our project about? (Cont’d)

Synthetic insecticide that can effectively kill pests

Hormone introduced during sexual reproduction of Phytophthora

20-step complex process Unique insecticide: exhibits various chiral

properties and chiral centres

Introduction to Experimental Techniques and Equipment

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

Similar to paper chromatography Carried out on a piece of glass coated with a

thin layer of silica gel Technique used to separate mixtures and

identify compounds Used to monitor reactions

VS

Pencil Line

Reactant Spot

Co-spot Spot

Product Spot

Monitoring Reactions

Reactants Product

How It Works?

Different compound have different solubility in various solvents (Hexane : Ethyl Acetate 1:1)

Silica Gel – SiO2

Si-O Bonds – Polar Substance is highly polar interact with

silica gel travel a shorter distance Substances non-polar travel a longer

distance up TLC plate

Flash Column Chromatography

Used to purify chemical compounds, isolate desired products from mixtures (usually carried out after TLC analysis)

Utilizes a glass column filled silica gel Sample to be separated placed on top Flushed with solvent (hexane: EA 1:2) External pressure applied solvent runs

through the column compounds become separated

Experimental Setup

Stationary Phase

Mobile Phase

How it Works?

Stationary Phase VS Mobile Phase Individual components are retained by the

stationary phase differently separate from each other while running at

different speeds through the column. At the end of the column, they elute one at a

time. Eluent is collected in a series of fractions.

Rotary Evaporator

Used for removal of solvents from samples (usually done after Column Chromatography)

Via Evaporation and Condensation Low pressures in evaporator lowers boiling point of

solvents

Video for simplicity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKQIdSDso5E&feature=related

Further research work

Ongoing research work

Continue attachment at NTU (Nov-Dec)

Focus on synthesis of mating hormone using 20-step process

THE END

Thank you!