Radical-Based Synthesis & Derivatization of Enantiopure Amino Acid

• Applicant: Dr. Adrián Gómez Suárez
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443074366

Radical chemistry has undergone a renaissance in recent years, brought about by the development of new methodologies enabling the controlled generation of radical species under mild reaction conditions from abundant functional groups (carboxylic acids, amines etc.) and compound classes. Amino acids are among the most abundant molecules in the chiral pool, and are highly versatile building blocks for chemical and biological syntheses. However, when combined, the current radical methodologies tend to obliterate the intrinsic stereochemical information of the amino acids, thus wasting the huge potential that the combination of these two powerful concepts offers. The goal of the research project is the development of scalable and straightforward technologies for the synthesis and application of enatiopure amino acid derivatives in radical transformations, without obliterating their innate stereochemical information. The research program will give access to key building blocks for chemical and biological syntheses, as well as provide direct routes for the synthesis of a wide range of heterocyclic architectures, which are key structural motifs in pharmaceutical and agrochemicals. Additionally, the knowledge gained during the proposed project will be used for the design of modular strategies for the synthesis of complex molecules and natural products.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants