William J. Chain, Assistant Professor

Contact

Department of Chemistry
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
2545 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, HI 96822-2275

Phone: (808) 956-5795
Fax: (808) 956-5908
Email: William Chain
Office: Bilger 205B

Educational Background

William Chain received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University in 2001. At Penn State, he conducted research in the laboratories of Professor Blake R. Peterson studying the synthesis of ribonucleoside analogues. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2006. Under the guidance of Professor Andrew G. Myers, he developed protocols for the stereocontrolled construction of quaternary carbon centers by the alkylation of disubstituted pseudoephedrine amide enolates. He then moved to Princeton University to begin postdoctoral studies with Professor Erik J. Sorensen. At Princeton, he is working toward the total synthesis of maoecrystal V, a potent and selective HeLa cell inhibitor. In the fall of 2009, he joined the faculty at the University of Hawai’i as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

Research Interests

The Chain group is focused on exploring classical and fundamental reactivity as a means of approaching new and long standing synthetic challenges. Additionally, we will establish much needed protocols for the formation of common structures in natural products and apply these methods to the total synthesis of structurally challenging and biologically relevant targets. Our concise syntheses will lead to collaborative efforts to fully evaluate and understand the biological importance and therapeutic potential of our target molecules.

Recent Publications

  • Harki, D. A.; Graci, J. D.; Galarraga, J. E.; Chain, W. J.; Cameron, C. E.; Peterson, B. R. Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of 5-Substituted Cytidine Analogues: Identification of a Potent Inhibitor of Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 6166-6169.
  • Chain, W. J.; Myers, A. G. A Convenient, NMR-Based Method for the Analysis of Diastereomeric Mixtures of Pseudoephedrine Amides. Org. Lett. 2007, 9, 355-357.
  • Kummer, D. A.; Chain, W. J.; Morales, M. R.; Quiroga, O.; Myers, A. G. Stereocontrolled Alkylative Construction of Quaternary Carbon Centers. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 13231-13233.