Developing Innovative Synthetic Methods for Long Elusive Atroposelective C─N, and N─N Coupling Reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frederic W. Patureau
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549357063

This project is situated in the very challenging field of atroposelective coupling reactions, specifically those involving N-substrates. These are particularly challenging due to the fact that N-substrate coupling reactions typically require harsh conditions and elevated temperatures. Moreover, many intermediates in those reactions are subject to rotational lability, and thus racemization. Recent reports however, from our group and the literature, feature milder reaction conditions for C─N, and N─N bond forming coupling reactions, due to the rise of new ligand systems. This will open up some opportunities for long elusive atroposelective versions of those synthetic methods. This project will focus on some broad and highly desirable reaction targets, such Ullmann-Goldberg, Buchwald-Hartwig, and several important cross dehydrogenative C─N and N─N bond forming reactions, in view of developing atroposelective methods that deliver high enantiomeric excesses, yields, and functional group tolerance. The development of such methods is critical for the future of medicinal chemistry, as atropisomers of opposite handedness are known to possess very different bioactivity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants