Professor Boeckman's research efforts focus on the development of new synthetic methodology, applicable solution of complex stereochemical problems, including asymmetric synthesis. His research employs organometallic chemistry and conformational theory to assist creation of stereocontrolled synthetic transformations and utilizes complex multifunctional molecules as target structures for applications of his methodological studies.

Currently, Professor Boeckman's research group is developing new methodology for asymmetric synthesis using novel chiral auxiliaries, ligands, and associated metal complexes as catalysts based upon a family of chiral bicyclic lactams derived from camphor and pinene. Other goals include the creation of medium rings via the retro-Claisen rearrangement. These methodologies, among several, are being applied to the total synthesis of a variety of biologically significant natural products which requires the use of the full range of modern analytical instrumentation, including HPLC, high field NMR, GC-MS, and X-ray crystallography.

Target structures include the antitumor compounds tetronolide (1) and esperamicin (2), the novel hypoglycemic agent saudin (3), the potent immunosuppressant FK-506 (4), the antibiotics laurencin (5) and laurenyne (6), and the antibiotic/antiinfective UTC4B (7).

Research by Dr. Boeckman and his group provides new tools and methodologies for preparative organic chemistry which have practical application in the areas of medicinal chemistry relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.