Development of novel strategies towards the synthesis of N-heterocycles using isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Bräse
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation ; Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 245024820

We encounter heterocyclic compounds of organic chemistry in many areas of daily life. Furthermore, they make human life possible, as they are components of nucleic acids, ATP, or hemoglobin. Moreover, heterocycles are found in food and nutrition (caffeine, vitamins) or in different kinds of dyes. However, the largest field of application for heterocyclic compounds is the pharmaceutical industry, where they are used as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic or antibiotic agents. A well-known example is the compound penicillin. A major goal of pharmaceutical and organic chemistry is to further develop such kind of drugs and thereby enhance their effectivity or reduce undesirable side effects. The aim is the synthesis of different functional heterocycles using a simple and fast technique. Simultaneously a high degree of complexity and diversity of the formed constructs is to be achieved. The resulting compound libraries thus enable the rapid discovery of suitable active components. For such purpose, the multi-component reaction is a particularly promising synthetic method. In addition to the fast and efficient reaction sequence, the MCR has also the advantage of a sustainable use of resources. Founded on preliminary work of both partners in this bilateral international cooperation, the goal of this project is the development of such new multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of N heterocycles based on the use of isocyanides.The special collaborative effort is exemplified by a knowledge exchange not only from India and Germany, but also between two techniques i.e. liquid phase combinatorial chemistry versus solid phase combinatorial chemistry. Lastly, the compounds synthesized will be explored in initial in-vitro and in-vivo biological screens.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: India
• Partner Organisation: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Participating Person: Prem Chauhan, Ph.D.