New Metal Catalysed Processes for the Rapid Construction of Functionalised Organic Architectures

Considerable advances in synthesis continue to be achieved due to the use of metal-mediated methods in organic chemistry. Over recent years, a series of endeavours within Strathclyde laboratories has been geared towards furthering the scope and synthetic utility of new metal-mediated processes for direct application towards the establishment of unique annulation strategies and functionalisation of desirable organic frameworks. In this respect and very recently, work at Strathclyde has focused on novel chiral magnesium bisamide species, (R2N)2Mg, as potential reagents for asymmetric deprotonation reactions. Indeed, in terms of pharmaceutical and agrochemical processes, the production of enantiomerically-enriched products is of paramount importance; not only is this key to the manufacture of safe and marketable materials but this also leads to less waste in terms of energy, solvents, and unwanted (enantiomeric) by-products.

In addition to the above, one of the most widely applied organometal-based methods is the single-step, cyclopentannulation process, the Pauson-Khand (P-K) reaction. Over recent years, studies within our laboratories has been focused towards the development of this cyclisation, in attempts to find more widely applicable methods for facilitating this preparatively important reaction, and to applying this method as the central transformation within the syntheses of a spectrum of natural product systems.

Based on sound theoretical underpinning and some highly promising preliminary results, within this programme of work both the chiral magnesium bisamide reagents and Pauson-Khand protocols being developed within our laboratory will find application as the key interconversion in the synthesis of demanding molecular architectures of potential medicinal importance and current synthetic interest.

In relation to the EPSRC Portfolio, the main objectives of this programme align with and will address the Research Areas of Catalysis, Chemical Reaction Dynamics and Mechanism, and Synthetic Organic Chemistry and as of importance within the Themes of Healthcare Technologies, Physical Sciences, and Manufacturing the Future.