Alkali metals, such as lithium and sodium, are naturally abundant elements, and their compounds are historically inexpensive and readily available. Due to these advantages, organic synthetic reactions utilizing alkali metals are among the most useful transformations, and countless studies have been reported to date. However, many of these classical reactions could entail practical problems, including inherently low selectivity and slow reaction rate, which in turn limits the substrate scope and require harsh conditions such as high temperature and pressure.
Dr. Wolfe is a Mathias P. Mertes Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas. His research career has been dedicated to elucidating the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Awards for his work include a Zenith Award from the Alzheimer’s Association, the MetLife Award for Biomedical Research, and the Potamkin Prize from the American Academy of Neurology. His lab has been especially focused on the γ-secretase complex, a protease that plays central roles in Alzheimer pathogenesis.
