Chemistry Faculty:
George F. Majetich, Ph.D.
Professor
Phone: 706-542-1966
E-mail: majetich@sunchem.chem.uga.edu
Biographical Information
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1979
N.I.H. Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University, 1979-1981
Research Interests
The total synthesis of biologically active natural products and their analogs; development of new synthetic methods; organosilicon chemistry; microwave-accelerated organic synthesis; natural products isolation and structure determination.
The primary goal of our research program is the development of new methods and strategies for the synthesis of biologically active and structurally novel natural products. Since 1993, we have developed new annulation procedures for the efficient synthesis of polycyclic natural products containing five-, six-, and seven-membered rings using intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reactions. These ring forming processes occur under mild conditions, in the presence of a number of reactive functional groups, and produce highly functionalized products. Among the current synthetic targets under study are cortisone, kalmanol, cinereain and duclauxin. Each of these natural products possess significant biological activity and synthetic challenge.
Another aspect of our research program focuses on the isolation of naturals products from a vine used in the popular medicine of northeastern Brazil for the treatment of kidney stones and prostate gland disorders. In addition to developing skills in isolation techniques, these project develop expertise in modern NMR methods of structure determination. Finally, projects in asymmetric epoxidation, organic photochemistry and microwave-promoted organic synthesis are underway.
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Publications
G. Majetich, "Recent Trends in the Use of Natural Products and their Derivatives as Potential Pharmaceutical Agents." An invited chapter in Biologically Active Natural Products: Agrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals, H. G. Cutler and S. J. Cutler, Eds.; Chemical Rubber Company Press; Cleveland, Ohio; 61-71 (1999).
G. Majetich, R. Hicks and F. Okha, "Pseudourea-mediated Dehydration of Tertiary and Benzylic Alcohols," New Journal of Chemistry, 1, 129-132 (1999).
T. Jenkins, J. Bhattacharyya, G. Majetich and R. Almeida, "Flavonoids from the Root-Bark of Dioclea Grandiflora," Phytochemistry, 52, 723-730 (1999).
S. D. Richardson, A. D. Thruston, Jr., T. V. Caughran, P. H. Chen, T. W. Collette, T. L. Floyd, T. L., K. M. Schenck, B. Lykins, Jr., G. Sun and G. Majetich, "Identification of New Ozone Disinfection By-products in Drinking Water," Environmental Science & Technology, 33, 3368-3377 (1999).
S. D. Richardson, A. D. Thruston, Jr., T. V. Caughran, P. H. Chen, T. W. Collette, T. L. Floyd, T. L., K. M. Schenck, B. Lykins, Jr., G. Sun and G. Majetich, "Identification of New Drinking Water Ozonation By-products Formed in the Presence of Bromide," Environmental Science & Technology, 33, 3378-3383 (1999).
R. N. Almeida, D. S. Navarro, M. F. Agra, E. R. Almeida, G. Majetich and J. Bhattacharyya, "Analgesic Effect of Dioclenol and Dioflorin Isolated from Dioclea grandiflora Mart. Ex Benth.," a communication.