Bercovici Research
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Currently our research focuses on three different projects.
(click on the links below to learn more)
Ylidenenorbornadienes (YNDs)
YNDs are interesting molecules because they react with nucleophiles (typically with thiols) to trigger a spontaneous retro-[4+2] cycloaddition reaction to fragment the YND molecule. We have been exploring the substrate scope of this reaction and investigating how changes in the structure of our YND molecules effects the rate of fragmentation after nucleophilic attack.
Below you can see the reaction scheme for how YNDs are synthesized via [4+2] cycloaddtions (a.k.a. Diels-Alder Reaction) and then how the react with thiol nucleophiles in a conjugate addition. These thiol adducts then fragment via a retrograde [4+2] cycloaddition (a.k.a. retro-Diels-Alder -rDA reaction). Furthermore, you can see our recent substrate scope below for YNDs we have made and explored.
Stimuli-Responsive Micelles
We are currently utilizing our YND technology to create stimuli-responsive micelle systems. These self-assembled macromolecular structures will react with nucleophiles such as thiols and then degrade and release payloads.