Jun Yong Kang (Chemistry and Biochemistry) has been awarded a patent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the invention “Chiral n-heterocyclic phosphorodiamidic acids (NHPAS) and derivatives as novel bronsted acid catalysts” This invention describes new synthetic methods of novel NHPA organocatalysts, which enable efficient synthesis of diaryl and arylalkyl phosphonates, key intermediates in the synthesis of phosphonate prodrugs, antibacterial agents, chemiluminescence materials, and flame retardants. This patent also claims the activation of ortho-quinone methides to versatile building blocks of pharmaceuticals and other biologically significant small molecules.
