Organic Synthesis Professor Lew Mander

We are developing methods and strategies for the synthesis of complex natural products that have interesting biological properties. Our aim is to improve the efficiency, reliability and predictability of synthetic procedures. By better understanding the chemical processes involved in syntheses, we can invent new ways of building organic molecules.

We are also interested in the molecular basis of plant growth regulation. We focus on the gibberellins (GAs), a group of diterpene acids that affect numerous aspects of plant growth and development including germination, induction of stem growth and flowering. GAs are used in commercial agriculture, for example, most seedless table grapes are grown using the application of GAs to improve the size of the fruit.

Current research activities

Structural and synthetic studies on gibberellins

There are approximately 130 confirmed naturally occurring gibberellins (GAs). We are examining the structure of a number of GAs and developing new efficient methods for their synthesis. We have discovered semi-synthetic derivatives which selectively promote flowering, but little or no growth and analogues that actually inhibit growth. These may prove valuable for agricultural applications.

Total synthesis of natural products

Natural products being synthesised include a group of alkaloids isolated from a species of tree in Northern Australian rain forests, which have potential for treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Another major compound under investigation is a diterpenoid with anti-malarial properties.

Annual Research Report   (PDF format)

Group members

Academic Staff:
Professor Lew Mander (Leader)   |   Dr Stephen M McAteer   |   Dr Lorraine C Axford (starting September 2005)   |   Giuseppe Del Signore   |   Dr Mat McDonough

Technical and General Staff:
Christine Sharrad   |   Bruce Twitchin

PhD Students:
James Crow  |   Kelly Fairweather   |   Oliver E. Hutt   |   Patrick O’Connor

Visiting Scholars:
Ms Jennifer Locke

Key publications

1. King G.R., Mander L.N., Monck N.J.T., Morris J.C. and Zhang H. A New and Efficient Strategy for the Total Synthesis of Polycyclic Diterpenoids: The Preparation of Gibberellins (±)-GA₁₀₃ and (±)-GA₇₃. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 3828-3829.
2. Frey, B., Wells, A. P., Rogers, D. R. and Mander, L. N. Synthesis of the Unusual Diterpenoid Tropones, Hainanolidol and Harringtonolide. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 1914-1915.
3. Mander, L. N. Twenty years of gibberellin research. Natural Product Reports, 2003, 20, 49-69.
4. Mander, L. N. and McLachlan, M. M. Total synthesis of the Galbulimima alkaloid GB 13. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 2400-2401.
5. Mander, L. N. and Thomson, R. J. Total synthesis of Sordaricin. Org. Lett., 2003, 5, 1321-1324.

>>more publications

Lew Mander has been at the Research School of Chemistry since 1975. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society and the Australian Academy of Science, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. He has been a Nuffield Fellow (Cambridge University, 1972), a Fulbright Senior Scholar (California Institute of Technology, 1977, and Harvard University, 1986) and an Eminent Scientist of RIKEN, Japan (1995-96). He has been awarded the H.G. Smith Medal of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and the Flintoff and Organic Synthesis Medals of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

group photos

Professor L N Mander Research School of Chemistry, Building 35 Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA Ph: +61 2 6125 3761 Fx: +61 2 6125 8114 E-mail: mander@rsc.anu.edu.au