Visible light mediated photochemical metal-free carbene transfer reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rene M. Koenigs
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 446530715

In this research project, we plan to systematically investigate photochemical, metal-free carbene transfer reactions in order to develop new and sustainable synthetic methods and to further deepen the understanding of the reactivity of carbene intermediates in organic synthesis. To achieve this goal, we will use the visible light photolysis to investigate colored donor-acceptor diazoalkanes in organic synthesis methodology. Research activities focus on the formation of free ylide intermediates via photochemically generated carbenes. These ylides are studied in sigmatropic rearrangement, cyclization, and ring expansion reactions. In the last part, we will investigate multi-carbene transfer reactions with substrates that carry several nucleophilic groups, thus opening up ways for the synthesis of oligo-cyclopropa(e)nes and fused tetrahydrofurans.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants