Objective
Heteroaromatic like pyridines, pyrroles, furans, and thiophenes are privileged scaffolds in pharmaceuticals & agrochemicals. While functional group modifications are routine, direct interconversion between heteroaromatic rings typically requiring de novo synthesis . “Ring replacement” strategies could transform drug discovery by enabling late-stage modulations, yet no general methods exist for converting abundant pyridines into other heterocycles.
This project will pioneer a photochemical platform to directly convert pyridines into pyrroles, furans, and thiophenes. The approach exploits pyridine N-oxidation followed by visible-light-mediated deconstruction to nitrile-containing dienes. These intermediates will undergo divergent [4+1] cycloadditions with nitrenes, singlet oxygen, or sulfur to yield pyrroles, furans, and thiophenes, respectively.
The methodology will progress through: (1) development of pyridine-to-pyrrole transformation via Cu-catalysed nitrene insertion and rearrangement, (2) mechanistic elucidation, (3) extension to pyridine-to-furan and pyridine-to-thiophene conversions using singlet oxygen and elemental sulfur, and (4) demonstration of synthetic utility in late-stage ring replacement of drug molecules.
This disruptive strategy introduces the first general method for heteroaromatic-to-heteroaromatic replacement, a conceptually novel retrosynthetic paradigm. It transforms pyridines from static scaffolds into versatile precursors, enabling access to new heterocyclic space of high biological and industrial value.
Completion of this ambitious project at RWTH Aachen University will be supported by advanced mechanistic expertise, knowledge transfer, and dissemination, equipping the Researcher with unique skills at the interface of photochemistry, catalysis, and heteroaromatic synthesis and strongly enhancing her career trajectory toward independence.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
52062 Aachen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.