Asymmetric ion-pair catalysis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Magnus Rüping
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2013 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 226059603

In recent years metal free, low molecular weight molecules have emerged as powerful catalysts and have successfully been applied in various highly enantioselective transformations. Among the different areas of catalysis reported to date, the domain of ion-pair catalysis has only recently evolved as an important field of research and a variety of asymmetric reactions involving imine and carbonyl activations have been realized. Despite the significant advances made, examples of asymmetric reactions catalyzed by strongly acidic catalysts are still rare. In this context, we plan to synthesize new chiral strongly acidic catalysts for the realization of highly valuable asymmetric chemical transformations, which have not been achieved to date. A special focus will be directed to the concept of chiral ion-pair catalysis, the activation of less basic substrates and the development of practical and efficient, enantioselective transformations which are traditionally performed under metal catalysis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants