Preparation and applications of chiral compounds containing selenium and tellurium

• Grant number: 04/02497-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Duration: August 01, 2004 - December 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: João Valdir Comasseto
• Grantee: João Valdir Comasseto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Julio Zukerman Schpector

Abstract

The focus of this project consists in the preparation and applications of chiral molecules containing the elements selenium and tellurium. Emphasis will be given to the use of environmentally friendly reaction conditions, such as the biocatalysis in aqueous medium, exploring the Brazilian biodiversity, and the development of solventless reactions. Some of the reactions to be developed will be applied in the synthesis of bioactive polyunsaturated compounds, such as insect pheromones, anti-fungal and citotoxic substances. Isolated enzymes, bacteria, fungi and plant roots will be used to introduce chirality into the molecules containing selenium and tellurium. Besides the synthetic applications of the prepared compounds, their biological properties will also be investigated. In particular, tellurium (IV) compounds will be tested towards their protease inhibitory activity. Chiral tellurium (II) and tellurium (IV) will be used as chemical shift reagents for 125Te nuclear magnetic resonance, leading to a new method to determine enantiomeric excess by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. (AU)