The primary goal of this project is to explore the synthesis of huperzine alkaloids via the photoinitiated intramolecular ylide alkene cylcloaddition. Huperzine A and B are both potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for the degradation of acetylcholine. Thus improved synthetic approaches to huperzine A and B could prove useful in developing new therapies for diseases which are manifested by low acetylcholine levels.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Contonio, Brooke Diane

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D205M

Advisor

• Dittami, James P.

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright