Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Approaches Towards The Synthesis Of Ketamine Metabolites, Ann K. Patrick

Honors Theses

Major Depressive disorder (MDD) plagues society and stands at the forefront of research as MDD affects approximately 16% of the population. Pharmaceutical drugs, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been used for MDD treatment and remain a popular option today. However, current antidepressant treatments have proven to be ineffective in just less than half of the patients. Research continues with the goal to better understand the mechanisms of the pathology of depression and to search for other treatment options. For example, the stress-neurogenesis hypothesis investigates the role of stress and decreased neuroplasticity within MDD.

Supporting the stress-neurogenesis hypothesis, …

Synthetic Approach To Hexaoxa[6]Peristylanes. A Novel Ddq-Induced Oxidative Rearrangement, Douglas Arthur Otte

Honors Theses

The structural beauty and interesting bonding properties of polycyclic cage compounds have been a source of fascination to many chemists. In this work, progress toward the synthesis of large oxabowl systems, such as hexaoxa[6]peristylane and its derivative dipbenylhexaoxa[6)peristylane, is described. Thus, the adduct obtained from the cycloaddition of maleic anhydride and cyc!ooctatetraene is converted into key dicarbonyl intermediates. Subsequently, the ozonolysis of these intermediates is carried out in order to generate hexaoxa(6)peristylane as well as diphenylhexaoxa[6]peristylane. Molecular modeling studies, performed at the semi-empirical level, are also described.