Current efforts are directed towards further development of the nitrile aldol reaction. The products of this reaction, beta-hydroxy nitriles, are versatile synthetic intermediates and have found application in the preparation of new antidepressant drug candidates. N NMR spectroscopy to characterize the solution structures of organolithium compounds, in particular those of lithiated nitriles. This technique is unique in its ability to provide unambiguous information regarding both the position of lithiation and aggregation state. A third major research area involves the use of antibodies to catalyze synthetically useful organic reactions.
Current efforts focus on development of antibodies to catalyze selective oxidation of alkenes.