Project Grant 2555832

Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Chemistry awarded $650,000 to the University of Oklahoma to support research on sulfur-mediated strategies for stereocontrolled glycosylation under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049). Beginning August 1, 2026, and concluding July 31, 2029, Dr. Indrajeet Sharma will develop sustainable synthetic chemistry methods for producing carbohydrate-based molecules critical to pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and biological applications. The project will deliver novel glycosylation techniques utilizing sulfur chemistry, visible-light photochemistry, and earth-abundant metals—such as iron and copper—to construct complex sugar molecules under mild conditions, thereby eliminating reliance on harsh acids, expensive precious-metal catalysts, and multi-step processes that generate substantial chemical waste.

The research will produce direct outputs including scalable synthetic protocols for challenging 1,2-cis furanosidic linkages and structurally modified sugars, as well as direct C-H activation methods applicable to drug discovery and vaccine development. Additionally, the award will support workforce development through training of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students in synthetic chemistry, catalysis, photochemistry, and computational chemistry. The project includes outreach components designed to increase public understanding of chemistry through science café programs and community engagement events, thereby advancing biotechnology innovation while building human capital in advanced synthetic methodologies.