Research has been directed towards synthesizing a new class of compounds that consists of a phenol group linked by a long hydrocarbon chain to a guanidinium group. This type of compound is a model for active proton transfer groups in the light-driven proton pumps of the microbial rhodopsin family. This model might also mimic a conserved arginine-tyrosine (RY) grouping in G-protein coupled receptors that is known to be somehow involved in activation of G-proteins.

Recent work has been focused on optimizing the initial synthesis processes that will create the most beneficial yields of early intermediate products and thus maximizing the production of the desired guanidinylalkyl phenol compound. The first step in the scheme was to create an anhydride from dodecandioic acid, which was then used in a Friedel Crafts reaction with anisole. Though the yields for this product have been relatively low, roughly 30%, the starting materials are inexpensive enough to give us material to work with in the reactions that follow. Current reactions are being performed to optimize subsequent steps in the synthesis, which involve: reduction of the keto group; conversion of the acid sequentially to the amide, amine, and guanidine; and then deprotection of the phenolic hydroxyl.