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Bela Torok, B.S. M.S. Ph.D.

Contact Info

Bela Torok
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA, 02125
Phone: 617-287-6159
bela.torok@umb.edu

Assistant

Virginia MacKay
Administrative Assistant
Chemistry
University Of Massachusetts, Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA, 02125
Phone: 617-287-6130
virginia.mackay@umb.edu

DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Translational Pharmacology and Early Therapeutic Trials

Research Abstract

Development of synthetic methods for biologically active compounds.
The first major focus area is the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds such as: benzo[N,N]-heterocycles (benzodiazepines, benzimidazoles, quinoxalines, quinoxalinones), phthalazinones, iso-benzofuranones. We have developed one step domino syntheses for the preparation of pyrazolines, pyrazoles, Hantzsch esters, and pyridines.
The second major area is the synthesis of organofluorine compounds. This topic includes a broad variety of molecules such as: trifluoromethyl-benzimidazoles, trifluoromethyl-Schiff-bases, trifluoromethyl-alpha-hydroxy-gamma-ketoesters, unnatural trifluormethyl-amino acids, 3,3,3-trifluoropropenes, alpha-fluoro-beta-trifluoromethyl-alpha, beta-unsaturated esters and indolyl-hydroxyl-trifluoromethyl-propionic acid esters.
Many in these groups of compounds have been earlier identified as potent anticancer agents.

Publications

  • Abid M, Teixeira L, Török B.Triflic acid-catalyzed highly stereoselective friedel-crafts aminoalkylation of indoles and pyrroles.Org Lett 2008 Mar 6;10(5):933-5.
    18254637
  • Török M, Abid M, Mhadgut SC, Török B.Organofluorine inhibitors of amyloid fibrillogenesis.Biochemistry 2006 Apr 25;45(16):5377-83.
    16618127
  • Török B, Abid M, London G, Esquibel J, Török M, Mhadgut SC, Yan P, Prakash GK.Highly enantioselective organocatalytic hydroxyalkylation of indoles with ethyl trifluoropyruvate.Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2005 May 13;44(20):3086-9.
    15844111