The principal emphasis of Professor Comins' research program is the development of new synthetic methodologies and strategies for the asymmetric synthesis of alkaloids, natural products, and biologically active compounds. He is particularly interested in the design of new synthetic reactions, especially practical, high-yield methods for the synthesis of complex organic molecules with specific stereochemistries. Several strategies based on heterocyclic, photochemical, and organometallic chemistry are currently under investigation.
Professor Comins' group presently consists of fifteen postdoctoral chemists and graduate students and is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and pharmaceutical companies. The NIH has been supporting his efforts toward developing methodology useful for the synthesis of compounds having a broad range of biological properties (i.e. neuroleptic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anticonvulsant activities). Other studies supported by the NIH include basic research on the development of methods for the synthesis of optically active compounds using novel heterocycles as chiral building blocks. His industry-supported research deals mainly with the development of practical syntheses of pharmaceutically important compounds. As an example, his research team recently completed the shortest synthesis to date of the antitumor alkaloid, camptothecin.
Professor Comins and his coworkers have published over 140 papers and have been awarded over 35 patents in various areas of organic synthesis. The Comins group has also synthesized over 40 alkaloids.