The FarCatCH project is organized in three work packages. Significant advances were made regarding the substrate-selectivity control (WP1), the design of new catalysts using supramolecular tools (WP2) and access to original fluorinated molecules (WP3). In general, the project followed the main lines of what was initially planned in the proposal. As part of the progress we made, the design of efficient synthetic routes towards various classes of ligands was set up. Thus, a small library of ligands has been synthesized. Besides, innovative strategies for the remote functionalization of aromatic and aliphatic derivatives were successfully developed.
As a recognition of the PI’s expertise in the C-H bond activation research field, the PI was involved in the writing of a review providing an overview on directing groups in transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions (Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 6603) and three book chapters. Moreover, the development of an original method to synthesize sulfur-containing compounds of interest by C-H bond activation as a modern tool was achieved (J. Org. Chem. 2019, 84, 13194). Pleasingly, the first remote trifluoromethylthiolation reaction of non-activated aliphatic alcohol derivatives under visible light was developed and these preliminary results paved the way for further developments in the quest of synthetic tools approaches for the remote functionalization of molecules (Adv. Synth. Catal. 2022, 364, 1498 & Tetrahedron 2020, 76, 131153, Invited contribution for the special issue for Nuno Maulide). Besides, the design of new reagents to achieve original sulfur-and fluorine-containing compounds was investigated. For a selection of key publications, see: Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 8784, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2020, 362, 760, Chem. Commun. 2021, 57, 12337. In line with my interests in organofluorine chemistry and especially the design of original reagents to promote unprecedented transformations, closely related to the ERC project, the PI wrote two reviews. These latter highlighted the recent advances made towards a promising fluorinated moiety and summarized the newly- designed reagents and their applications for the synthesis of fluorinated molecules (Chem. Soc. Rev. 2021, 50, 8178., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021,60, 12170, Front. Chem. 2019, 7, 111) as well as more specifically copper-based fluorinated reagents for the construction of CF2R-containing molecules (Beilstein J.Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1051-1065). In addition, the PI was invited to write a book chapter dedicated to “Extension to the SCF2H, SCH2F, and SCF2R motifs” in a book entitled “Emerging Fluorinated Motifs: Synthesis, Properties and Applications, 2 Volumes” in agreement with the PI's expertise.
Several conferences in research institutes in France and in the world (Europe, China, India) were given to disseminate the science the PI’s group is developing and as an ERC laureate. Plenary lectures and keynotes were given as an invited speaker in national (eg. RCOM10, Progress in Organofluorine Chemistry, SECO55…) and international conferences (ICOC2018, 22th International Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry, 21st European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, OMCOS21, EFMC, EuCOMC25, 26th Winter Fluorine Conference, ESFC 2022, ISHC2022, and to virtual lectures (OCF virtual symposium 2022, virtual ISCHA 2020 and 3rd EurJOc Virtual symposium), amongst others (For more details, please see:
http://www.bessetgroup.cnrs.fr/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)).
