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Philip L. Fuchs
R. B. Wetherill Professor of Chemistry—Organic Chemistry
Email: pfuchs@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-5242
Office: WTHR 450A
For Professor Fuchs's individual Home Page click here.
Research in the Fuchs group is characterized by an adventuresome style; typically undertaking multiply convergent strategies that attempt a series of transformations in a single reaction flask. Because of the desirability of constructing complex organic targets via such confluent strategies, 6-7 carbon segments are often synthesized as logical sub-goals in preparation for assembly of the final targets. We are currently developing a unified synthetic strategy termed the chiral carbon catalog (CCC) for the synthesis highly-functionalized and stereochemically diverse 6-7 carbon backbone fragments. 
This approach emphasizes creation of absolute stereochemistry via catalytic processes starting with inexpensive and easily prepared prochiral molecules. The CCC strategy often delivers significantly enhanced efficiency when compared to syntheses based upon refunctionalization of chiral pool starting materials or procedures dependent upon stoichiometric utilization of chiral auxiliaries.
Professor Low of this department has conclusively demonstrated that molecules attached to the natural vitamin folic acid are selectively delivered inside tumor cells. In order to exploit the synergistic tools of biochemistry and synthetic organic chemistry, the Low and Fuchs groups collaborate to investigate the concept of folate-receptor delivered, high-dose intracellular anticancer drug therapy. Molecules currently under construction to be attached to folic acid include the subnanomolar antineoplastic drugs shown below.
Education
B.S., 1968, Ph.D. 1971, University of Wisconsin; Postdoctoral Fellow, 1971-73, Harvard University.Recognitions
- Arthor Kelly Undergraduate Teaching Award, 1990
- Top 10 Teachers in Science, Purdue University, 1990
- Pioneer in Laboratory Robotics Award, 1985
- Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow, 1977
Selected Publications
- Lee S.;LaCour, T. G.;Fuchs, P. L., Chemistry of Trisdecacyclic Pyrazine Antineoplastics: The Cephalostatins and Ritterazines . Chemical Reviews 2009 , 109 , 2275-2314.
- El-Awa A.;Noshi, M. N.;du Jourdin, X. M.;Fuchs, P. L., Evolving Organic Synthesis Fostered by the Pluripotent Phenylsulfone Moiety . Chemical Reviews 2009 , 109 , 2315-2349.
- du Jourdin X. M.;Noshi, M.;Fuchs, P. L., Designer Discodermolide Segments via Ozonolysis of Vinyl Phosphonates . Organic Letters 2009 , 11 , 543-546.