Dr Mark Wood

About me:

I am an organic chemist with research interests that cover a wide range of aspects of synthesis. Recent studies have focused on asymmetric synthesis of structurally complex amino acids, using what has proved to be a very versatile radical-based methodology and also the use of structurally unusual heterocycles for masking the reactivity of synthetically valuable functional groups. In this area, we have developed a methodology for the incorporation of protected isocyanates into organic molecules and this chemistry is being applied to the synthesis of a diverse set of biologically important, nitrogen-containing heterocycles. My teaching activities cover all aspects of organic chemistry from basic structure and bonding in organic molecules, to complex organic synthesis. I am a member of the Biological Chemistry research group.

The use of radical-based methodology in the synthesis of highly substituted amines and amino acids. The aim of these studies has been to develop a much-needed general synthetic route to amino acids (and other amine derivatives) possessing a quaternary chiral centre alpha-to the nitrogen atom and in particular, alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids. The central theme of this methodology is the formation of alpha-aminoalkyl radicals from existing amino acid and alpha-amino alcohol derivatives by 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer and the subsequent trapping of these radicals with appropriate radicalphiles, thus generating quaternary centres with high efficiency and excellent stereocontrol. This ongoing area of research has led to further investigations into the 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer process and in particular, studies into the effectiveness of deuterium as a protecting group for C-H bonds in radical and carbene chemistry.

Synthetic applications of structurally 'unusual' heterocycles. The second major area of my group's research has involved studies into the use of structurally "unusual" heterocycles as protected, reactive functional groups in organic synthesis. In particular, we have developed methods for the stereoselective incorporation of the 1,2,4-dithiazolidine-3,5-dione (Dts imide) moiety into molecules as a masked isocyanate equivalent. These studies have also revealed intriguing and unexpected physical properties associated with the parent imide heterocycle (particularly in terms of its acidity) and as a result, studies involving related heterocycles are proposed.

Investigation of photoinitiated Bergman cyclisation reactions using high-resolution laser spectroscopy. The importance of the Bergmann cyclisation reaction in the mode of action of anti-tumour enediyne antibiotics such as calicheamicin-alpha and the neocarzinostatins provided the starting point for this collaborative project for which Dr David Smith is the principal investigator. Whilst much has been written about this reaction, relatively little characterisation has been carried out on the reaction intermediates. My involvement in this project is from the synthetic angle, and I am currently directing and supervising the preparation of the required enediyne cyclisation precursors.

1990 DPhil Organic Chemistry, University of Oxford
1989 MA Chemistry, Balliol College, University of Oxford
1986 BA (Hons) Chemistry, Balliol College, University of Oxford

2022-present Associate Professor in Organic Chemistry, Biosciences, University of Exeter

2007-2022 Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, Biosciences, University of Exeter

2005-2007 Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, Biosciences, University of Exeter
1996-2005 Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Exeter
1990-1996 GlaxoWellcome (originally Glaxo) Fellow and Tutor in Organic Chemistry, St Catherine's College, University of Oxford)