[Cheemistree8889]

Hey everyone, I'm doing a senior research project in college in the field of organic synthesis.  I'm synthesizing a few cyclic amino acids for a company to sell (which is not very novel seeing as they are all well researched/published).  The individuals I work for are very gracious and are allowing me to synthesize derivative(s) of these compounds so I am able to write a stronger thesis.  The only problem is that I have no idea what is original/novel and at the same time important for the scientific community.  I mean I could throw a few function groups on my compounds, and that would be original but why in the world would anyone be interested in random derivatives.  I have been doing sci finder searches for days, looking through the literature for ideas.  Wow...that was long...that being said I have the following two ideas:

1. I found a few sources where amino acids that were derivatives on these basic ones were found in nature but not yet synthesized, would a synthesis of one of these be of any interest even if there is no biological activity published for them?

2. The company has other products they sell in their catalog and I thought maybe using a very recent coupling reaction or some other chemistry to show the methodology may be interesting.

Any thoughts?  I'm not looking for answers, I understand that it is MY research project but if any of you were at a conference or meeting is there anything with seemingly boring amino acids you that may spark your attention?

Thanks!

[agrobert]

Not everyone does groundbreaking research in their undergrad.  Experience is the most important thing.  As long as you enjoy synthesizing these amines you should continue the project.  Along the way you may get insight for your research.  Your thesis could include the work you have done and possibly the work you plan to do or suggest that is done in the future.  Your advisor would be the best person to talk to about this.  Hopefully you are not just a amine making machine.