Project description
Nature-inspired compounds via enantioselectivity control in electrochemical radical processes
One of the greatest challenges in synthetic chemistry is selective production of one of two enantiomers, chiral molecules that have the same atoms and the same atom-atom bonds but cannot be fully superimposed. The slight difference in 3D structure can have significant impact on functionality. Stereocontrolled synthesis of chiral molecules is critical in drug discovery, eliminating the need to separate mixtures of two enantiomers and speeding the discovery process while decreasing material and energy use. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ELECTRO-ASYMMETRIC project will test the potential of asymmetric organocatalysis and electrochemistry to enable rapid synthesis of novel, chiral nature-inspired building blocks with high stereocontrol.
Objective
Identifying successful lead drug candidates is a significant and current challenge to society. The ELECTRO-ASYMMETRIC project seeks to provide some solutions through assisting the development of more effective drug discovery technologies. Specifically, we aim to use electricity-driven organocatalytic cascade processes for the stereocontrolled synthesis of chiral lactones and polyfunctionalized heterocycles, which are common motifs in biologically active molecules. Asymmetric organocatalysis and electrochemistry, two powerful strategies of modern chemical research, have extraordinary potential for sustainably preparing the novel organic molecules required for driving innovation in the pharmaceutical industries. However, the control of enantioselectivity in electrochemical radical processes poses a fundamental scientific challenge. ELECTRO-ASYMMETRIC asks whether asymmetric organocatalytic electrochemical cascades could be an effective tool for rapidly synthesising novel chiral nature-inspired building blocks with high stereocontrol. The chiral molecules prepared in this project will be screened for biological activity in a multidisciplinary collaboration with Janssen, increasing the probability of success in identifying successful drug candidates.
This fellowship brings a new industrial collaboration to the host institution, and transfers expertise of advanced techniques in asymmetric catalysis to the candidate and knowledge of electrochemistry to the host group. The project’s multidisciplinarity and intersectoral nature will broaden the fellow’s competencies and will place him in a competitive position for his next career move.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
MSCA-PF - MSCA-PFCoordinator
40126 Bologna
Italy