The synthetic potential of alkynylsulfoxides under gold catalysis - Probing DKR

This research project studies how the sulfoxides and alkynes can be combined under pi-acid catalysis to develop efficient new synthetic methods. This research is directly relevant to the EPSRC Chemical Sciences and Engineering Grand Challenge 'Dial-a-Molecule - Catalytic Paradigms for 100% Efficient Synthesis' as it will establish convergent and modular intermolecular coupling strategies. The methods under study seek to provide more rapid and efficient access to desirable chemical structures which are of value to the pharmaceutical industry amongst others. The project will explore the development, mechanism and application of these new methods to develop effective synthetic processes. A key component of this project is the study of the activation principles and mechanistic steps involved in the process, where insight in to these can further the development of the method and also the wider field of gold catalysed homogeneous catalysis.