On November 25th, 2016, Dr. Yu Cai of Brigham Young
University, at the invitation of Prof. Xiaosong Xue, paid a visit to the SKLEOC.
He made an academic report titled “progress towards the total synthesis of yaku’amide
A” in meeting room 201 of teaching building VI at 16:00 p.m.
In his report, Dr. Cai elaborated on the progress towards the total
synthesis of yaku’amide A. Yaku’amide A, isolated from deep-water sponges, is a
natural polypeptide consisting of 14 amino acids. This polypeptide has very
strong antitumor activities. Dr. Cai first discussed the methods of enantioselective
synthesis of hydroxyl-amino-acids and dehydrated amino acids, and then on the
applications of these method in the total synthesis of yaku’amide A. After the report,
faculties and postgraduate students of the SKLEOC had in-depth discussion with
Dr. Cai on details on the enantioselectivity and mechanism of the presented reactions.
CV of Dr. Yu Cai:
Ph.D. Candidate Brigham Young University – Provo, Utah Since Aug. 2012
Advisor: Professor Steven L. Castle
M.S., Chemistry Nankai University
– Tianjin, China Aug. 2009-June 2012
