Research
General outline
Our research group is dedicated to pioneering new methods in organic synthesis, with a particular focus on their application in creating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and functionalizing biologically relevant molecules. As one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of organic chemistry, the development of innovative methodologies seeks to unlock novel chemical reactions and pathways.
Our work centers on the generation and use of reactive, short-lived intermediates, selectively accessed via photochemical, photocatalytic, or electrochemical techniques. These intermediates are then employed in a variety of chemical transformations. Our investigations combine both experimental work and cutting-edge theoretical approaches, allowing us to explore fundamental principles and address complex, applied research challenges.
The impact of our research extends beyond scientific discovery—it plays a key role in reducing the economic and environmental costs associated with the production of modern pharmaceuticals and materials.
Main Research Topics
- Carbene Transfer reactions
- Amination chemistry via nitrene intermediates
- Computational chemistry
- Photocatalysis
- Photochemistry
- Design and synthesis of new pharmaceutically active compounds
Recent highlights
Carbene transfer reactions with diazoalkanes are typically conducted using various metal catalysts, both precious and non-precious. Despite the intense color of diazoalkanes, the use of visible light photolysis for diazoalkanes in organic synthesis remains largely unexplored. Depending on the specific diazoalkane, photochemical and photocatalytic conditions can be employed to generate highly reactive singlet and triplet carbenes, as well as radical intermediates.
In addition to carbenes, photochemical and photocatalytic methods can also generate reactive nitrogen-based intermediates, such as triplet nitrenes and nitrene radical anions. These intermediates exhibit unique reactivity profiles. Notably, our research has uncovered an Aza-Pauson-Khand-type reaction involving triplet nitrenes, enabling the synthesis of bioisosteres with potential applications in medicinal chemistry.
Poster overviews
Beyond classic cycloaddition chemistry: Reactivity of triplet carbenes