Discovery and Development of Novel Enantioselective C(sp3)-H Functionalisations

This project falls within the EPSRC Synthetic Organic Chemistry research area.
Transition-metal catalysed C-H functionalisation is an important transformation in organic synthesis, leading to wide variety of different products. Traditionally, the synthetic manipulations have been limited by the availability of specific functional groups at specific carbon centres. In comparison with traditional cross-coupling reactions, C-H functionalisation strategy does not require any prefunctionalisation of substrates and delivers higher atom and step economy. However, traditionally this method relies on noble transition-metal catalysts such as Pd, Ru, Ir or Rh complexes. Because of their high costs and limited supply, a desire to explore and develop new earth-abundant transition-metal catalysed transformations has become attractive. Recent discoveries has shown cobalt as a viable alternative for C-H functionalisation. Due to reducing the costs and toxicity as well as unique reactivity, cobalt-based catalysts are an attractive area of study either for academia of for industry. Although, a significant amount of studies have been done on CoIII-Cp* C(sp2)-H activation, work on C(sp3)-H activation remains largely unrealised. Though C(sp3)-H activation is a very challenging field we want to investigate the potentialities of this transformation. Drawing on our group's experience within the area, we will be developing novel Co catalysed C(sp3)-H functionalisation reactions. If successful, will benefit diverse chemicals industries and this research will enable synthesis of molecules previously unaccessible / difficult, as well as increased efficiency and environmental impact compared with existing methods.