Dr. Hoffman's research interests lie in the areas of synthesis and synthetic methodology. His group has developed methods by which arenesulfonyloxy leaving groups can be attached oxidatively to organic compounds, particularly 2-sulfonyloxy esters and ketones, and N-sulfonyloxy amides. The unique chemistry found for these compounds has resulted in new strategies for the synthesis of a variety of natural and unnatural products, drug candidates, protease inhibitors, peptide mimetics, and DNA cleaving reagents. Recently a new program in combinatorial chemistry targeted towards ß-turn mimics has been started.