Keywords

• Catalysis
• Radical chemistry
• Natural product synthesis
• Neuroprotection

Focus areas

• Natural products/medicinal
• Synthesis

Affiliations

• Member, Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Research interests

Research in the Martin lab focuses on the development of new catalytic transformations, novel strategies for bond activation and the synthesis of bioactive molecules for the study and treatment of human disease. We find inspiration both through the identification of bioactive natural product targets and through consideration of larger problems where organic chemistry is poised to offer practical solutions (e.g. depolymerization and selective functionalization of biomass). Our goal is to provide reaction platforms that are both practical and sustainable for a variety of synthetic applications.

Another major focus of the lab is to explore general approaches to families of natural products where promising biological activity has been reported, in particular for the study and prevention of diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. In addition to chemical synthesis, we are pursuing studies of their mechanism of action and initiate collaborative studies where appropriate. We currently have active collaborations with researchers in the Departments of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Medicine.

Another major focus of the lab is to explore general approaches to families of natural products where promising biological activity has been reported, in particular for the study and prevention of diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. In addition to chemical synthesis, we are pursuing studies of their mechanism of action and initiate collaborative studies where appropriate. We currently have active collaborations with researchers in the Carver College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy.

Select recent publications

Geetha B. Kumar, Bipin G. Nair, J. Jefferson P. Perry, David B. C. Martin “Recent Insights into Natural Product Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinases.” MedChemComm 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9md00165d.

Hai-Bin Yang, Abigail Feceu, David B.C. Martin, "Catalyst-Controlled C–H Functionalization of Adamantanes Using Selective H-Atom Transfer." ACS Catal. 2019, 9, 5708-5715. [ChemRxiv preprint].

Taylor S. Alexander, Travis J. Clay, Bryan Maldonado, Johny M. Nguyen, David B. C. Martin,"Comparative Studies of Palladium and Copper-Catalysed γ-Arylation of Silyloxy Furans with Diaryliodonium Salts", Tetrahedron 2019, 75, 2229–2238. 

Abigail Feceu§, Corey M. Griffith§, Cynthia K. Larive, David B. C. Martin,"Synthesis and Structure Reassignment of Malylglutamate, a Recently Discovered Earthworm Metabolite" J. Nat. Prod., 2019, 82, 417-421.

William K. Weigel, Taylor N. Dennis, Amrik S. Kang, J. Jefferson P. Perry, David B. C. Martin, "A Heck-Based Strategy to Generate Anacardic Acids and Related Phenolic Lipids for Isoform-Specific Bioactivity Profiling." Org. Lett., 2018, 20, 6234–6238.

Abigail Feceu, Lauren E. Sangster, David B. C. Martin, "Unexpected Alkene Isomerization During Iterative Cross-Coupling To Form Hindered, Electron-Deficient Trienes." Org. Lett., 2018, 20, 3151-3155.

Dana R. Chambers, Raymond E. Sullivan, David B. C. Martin, "Synthesis and Characterization of Alkoxycarbonyl Cobalt Complexes via Direct Carbonylation Methods."Organometallics, 2017, 36, 1630–1639.

Michael T. Pirnot, Danica A. Rankic, David B. C. Martin, David W. C. MacMillan. “Photoredox Activation for the Direct beta-Arylation of Ketones and Aldehydes.”Science2013, 339, 1593-1596. 

David B. C. Martin, Christopher D. Vanderwal. “A Synthesis of Strychnine by a Longest Linear Sequence of Six Steps.” Chem. Sci. 2011, 2, 649-651. 

David B. C. Martin, Christopher D. Vanderwal. “Efficient Access to the Core of theStrychnos, Aspidosperma and Iboga Alkaloids. A Short Synthesis of Norfluorocurarine.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 3472-3473.

Select awards

• NSF Career Award, 2018-2023
• UBC Chemistry Young Alumnus Award, 2017
• Regents Faculty Fellowship, 2017-2018
• Thieme Lecturer, Canadian Society for Chemistry National Meeting, 2017
• Thieme Chemistry Journals Award, 2017
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Graduate Fellowship, 2010
• Roche Excellence in Chemistry Graduate Student Award, 2010
• NSERC Canadian Postgraduate Scholarship, 2009-2011
• Eli Lilly Graduate Fellowship, 2009
• Bronze medal, International Chemistry Olympiad in Denmark, July 2000