DNA as Chiral Element of Organization for Catalysts in Aqueous Media (B08)

• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2010 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 104405829

DNA hybrid catalysts can be formed from a piece of DNA and a low molecular weight metal complex. These hybrid catalysts can be applied in asymmetric catalysis to promote highly enantioselective reactions such as Diels-Alder reactions. This project will investigate the mechanism of action and the structure of such hybrid catalysts. Short DNA hairpins will be used as a minimal model of the nucleic acid component. In combination with bipy-type copper complexes such hairpins will be applied as catalysts in a range of catalytic asymmetric reactions including sigmatropic rearrangements such as the Alder-Ene reaction and photochemical [2+2]-cycloadditions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 858: Synergetic Effects in Chemistry - From Additivity towards Cooperativity
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ulrich Hennecke