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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S05410/01
Title: The total synthesis of merrilactone A
Principal Investigator: Greaney, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Chemistry
Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Scheme: First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts: 08 September 2003 Ends: 07 September 2006 Value (£): 100,926
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biological & Medicinal Chem. Chemical Synthetic Methodology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Merrilactone A is a novel pentacyclic sesquiterpene that displays a powerful neurotrophic effect on the growth of cultured rat neurones. Natural products that can mimic the action of nerve growth factor have potential applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease. The extremely low yield of merrilactone A from the natural source necessitates a program of chemical synthesis to access the natural product and analogues thereof in suitable quantities for biological evaluation. In addition, the challenging molecular architecture of Merrilactone A will place a stringent test on current synthetic methodologies for the construction of highly oxygenated terpene structures.The proposed research presents a synthesis of merrilactone A that is short, stereocontrolled and dependent on novel bond constructions. The successful implementation of the route will mean the development of synthetic methodologies in the areas of sigmatropic shift reactions, photochemistry and ultimately, asymmetric catalysis. The completed synthesis will provide a platform for a proper investigation Into the biology and pharmacology of the natural product.
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