1. One of our major research focus is to develop efficient and versatile cascade cyclization reactions for natural product synthesis by using bifunctional Lewis acid alone in two-component systems, orbifunctional Lewis acid and/or a base with linear substrates. Based on these strategies, we have recently developed four new cascade cyclization and cycloaddition reactions and have been successfully applied to the synthesis of a variety of natural products including Platensimycin, Platencin, (-)-Teucvidin, (+-)-Clavukerin and the aglycon of Dendronobiloside A. We have also finished the synthesis of the core structures of Basilolide B and Phomactin A.

a. Michael/Conia-ene Cascade Cyclization

b. Pyrone Diels Alder Cyclization

c. Diels Alder/Carbocyclization Cascade Cyclization

d. Prins/Conia-ene Cascade Cyclization

2. We are also interested in developing novel organo-lanthanide complexes as molecular probes for two- or multi-photon molecular imaging. Base on the cyclen scaffold, we have developed a number of two-photo induced fluorescence chemosensors for disease-related bio-molecules and organelle-specific bio-tracers.

a. Responsive Two-Photon Induced Europium Emission as Fluorescent Indicator for Paralytic Shellfish Saxitoxin

b. In Vitro Imaging and Human Serum Albumin Responsive Dimeric Lanthanide DO3A Complex

c. Two-photon induced responsive f-f emissive detection of Cyclin A with a europium-chelating peptide

d. Comparative Studies of Multi-Photon Induced Emission by Pyridine-Based Small Molecular Probes in Biological Media: Selective Binding of Bioactive Molecules and In Vitro Imaging