James Vyvyan , PhD

Professor of Organic Chemistry

Research Interests

My research interests are in the broad field of synthetic chemistry. Projects in my group range from the total synthesis of natural products possessing unusual structural features and biological properties to developing new synthetic methods. Ring formation by intramolecular epoxide opening has been a theme in our work for many years. Our work often requires detailed analysis of NMR spectra to characterize new compounds and assign relative stereochemistry.

Educational & Professional Experience

  • B.S. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1991.
  • Ph.D. University of Minnesota, 1995.
  • Camille & Henry Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellow, Hope College, 1995-1997.

Selected Awards & Honors

       WWU Arlan D. Norman Student Mentoring Award     2018

       UW-Eau Claire President’s Award     2014

       WWU Paul J. Olscamp Research Award     2011

       WWU Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award     2008

       Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award     2003

      Cottrell Scholar of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement     1999

       Lee I. Smith Stainless Steel Beaker Award, University of Minnesota     1995

Recent Publications

33.   #Shelton, P. M. M.; *Grosslight, S. M.; #Mulligan, B. J.; *Spargo, H. V.; *Saad, S. S.; Vyvyan, J. R. “Synthesis of guaipyridine alkaloids (±)-cananodine and (±)-rupestines D and G using an intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck reaction,” Tetrahedron 2020, 76, 131500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2020.131500.

32.  #Starchman, E. S.; *Marshall, M. S.; Vyvyan, J. R. “Synthesis of (±)-rupestines B and C by intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck reaction,” Tetrahedron Lett. 2020, 61, 151837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2020.151837

31. Vyvyan, J. R.; #Engles, C. A.; *Bray, S. L.; *Wold, E. D.; *Porter, C. L.; *Konev, M. O. “Synthesis of trisubstituted Z-styrenes by Hiyama-type coupling of oxasilacycloalkenes: Application to the synthesis of a 1-benzoxocane,” Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2017, 13, 2122-2127. DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.13.209

30.  #Shelton, P.; #Ligon, T. J.; #Dell, J. M.; *Yarbrough, L.; Vyvyan, J. R. “Synthesis of cananodine by intramolecular epoxide opening,” Tetrahedron Lett. 2017, 58, 3478-3481.  DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.07.080.

29.  Vyvyan, J. R.; #Longworth (née Dimmitt), H. E.; *Nguyen, S.  “Synthesis of (±)-centrolobine using a gold-catalyzed cycloetherification,” Synlett, 2016, 2221-2224. DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1562463. Featured in Organic Chemistry Highlights edited by Douglass F. Taber, January 8, 2018: http://www.organic-chemistry.org/Highlights/2018/08January.shtm