Project description
Going with the flow; catalysing a change in drug availability and cost
Many molecules exist in more than one form, meaning that their atoms are all connected in the same way, but their 3D structures are different. Enantiomers are molecules that have the same chemical formula, but they are what is called non-superimposable mirror images of each other. As an analogy, your left and right hands are 'enantiomers'. Asymmetric synthesis in which a reaction yields exclusively one or the other enantiomer is critical to chemical production, particularly of bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals. The EU-funded AsymmFlow project is developing a continuous-flow, asymmetric synthesis process exploiting immobilised and highly specific catalysts to produce high volumes of specific enantiomers quickly and cost-effectively, targeting the enhanced availability of the drug Tadalafil at much lower prices.
Objective
In the Realm of Chemistry, asymmetric synthesis has a prime importance as it allows creation of optically pure chemical entities. The synthesis of preferred enantiomer is highly desirable when seeking for specific biological activities owing to the importance of chirality. AsymmFlow delineates synthesis, characterization and application of novel asymmetric supported organocatalysts for enantioselective Pictet-Splengler cyclization in continuous flow/batch to produce tetrahydro-β-carboline (THβC) derivatives. The proposed immobilization strategy gives access to synthesize reusable, robust and stable catalytic systems for asymmetric continuous-flow processes. We aim to develop a sustainable and selective protocol which would give easy access to bioactive substituted-THβC moieties and thus fulfils the demand aiming at lowering their prices in global markets. In particular, the synthesis of the drug Tadalafil usually suffers for poor enantioselectivity, prolonged reaction times, and scale-up issues. It is expected that the development of an alternative protocol for the synthesis of Taladafil will solve those common synthetic challenges and thus, will be highly useful to bring down the market price of this drug all over the world.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
43007 Tarragona
Spain