James Mckee

Title

Director, Graduate Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacognosy Professor of Chemistry

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Institution

University of the Sciences

j.mckee@usciences.edu

Education

BS (University of Maryland)
PhD (University of Maryland)

Research Interests

Preparation Sulfones Antibiotic Activity of Sulfonanilides

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Biography

Currently, my research is focused in two areas, (1) preparation and antibiotic activity of sulfonanilides and sulfones; and (2) the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocyclic compounds. Sulfonanilides and sulfones were amongst the earliest of the antibiotics and are still proving to be useful today, effectively treating such diseases as leprosy and epilepsy, as well as serving as general purpose antibiotics against all gram positive bacilli and all gram negative cocci. Currently, we are focusing on the development of sulfones and sulfonanilides that may be useful as anti-HIV agents. Unfortunately, the synthesis of these materials often involves multiple steps with low overall yields. We have developed a simple direct synthesis of this class of compounds, and are now concentrating on developing biologically active materials.The second area of research is concerned with the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocycles, such as hydantoins and iminohydantoins. Materials of this class, such as dilantin, are potent antiepileptics and are currently used to treat seizures. The use of trihalomethylcarbinols and bidentate nucleophiles makes possible a facile synthesis of a great many interesting members of this class, compounds that would not be easily available by other routes.

Homepages

Contact Information

215.596.8847

Research

Not mentioned yet.

Cloud List

List of Publications (5)

In 2006

Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzazepinesulfonamides and Their Rearrangement to Diarylsulfones,' H. Ren , M. Zanger, and J. R. McKee, Syn. Comm., 2006, 36, 355.
Found on Publication Text

In 2003

'The Synthesis of Iminohydantoins from Trihalomethylcarbinols,' J. A. McKee, J. R. McKee, and M. Zanger, 14th Annual St. Josephs University, Sigma Xi Research Symposium, April 11, 2003.
Found on Publication Text

In 2002

'The Electrophilic Bromation of Toluene: Determination of the ortho, meta and para Ratios by Quantitative FTIR Spectrometry,' R. Smith IV, J. McKee, and M. Zanger, J. Chem. Ed., 2002, 79, 227.
Found on Publication Text

In 1999

'A Microscale Synthesis of 2,3-Dibromosuccinic Acid,' J. Tomsho, M. Zanger, and J. McKee, J. Chem Ed., 1999, 76, 73. Small Scale Synthesis: A Laboratory Textbook of Organic Chemistry co-authored with M. Zanger, W.C. Brown Publishers, 1995.
Found on Publication Text

In 1995

Small Scale Synthesis: A Laboratory Textbook of Organic Chemistry co-authored with M. Zanger, W.C. Brown Publishers, 1995.
Found on Publication Text

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Colleagues

Gwyneth Shermanski

University of the Sciences

Amber Jones

University of the Sciences

Joseph Tanfani

University of the Sciences

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