Annual Scientific Report 2014

Abstract

The group’s research interests are broadly based on the use ofasymmetric organocatalysis (which involves only organic elements in the active principle) to create new synthetic opportunities and conceptual perspectives for successfully attacking major challenges connected with the preparation of chiral molecules.

The main focus is on the discovery and mechanistic elucidation of new asymmetric organocatalytic and photochemical processes that address unsolved problems in synthetic methodology. The final aim is to develop environmentally friendly and innovative catalytic methods that can find widespread use in modern organic synthesis.

Topics addressed

• Enantioselective photo-organocatalysis
• Organocatalysis and energy transfer

Articles

“Synthesis of Cyclopropane Spirooxindoles by means of a Vinylogous Organocatalytic Cascade”
Asian J. Org. Chem. (2014) 3, 466-469
R. César da Silva, I. Chatterjee, E. Escudero-Adán, M. Weber Paixao, P. Melchiorre

“Enantioselective Direct α-Alkylation of Cyclic Ketones by means of Photo-Organocatalysis”
Chem. Sci. (2014) 5, 2438-2442
E. Arceo, A. Bahamonde, G. Bergonzini, P. Melchiorre

“Asymmetric Vinylogous Diels–Alder Reactions Catalyzed by a Chiral Phosphoric Acid”
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2014) 53, 2997-3000
X. Tian, N. Hofmann, P. Melchiorre

“Metal-Free Photochemical Aromatic Perfluoroalkylation of α-Cyano Arylacetates”
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2014) 53, 4921-4925
M. Nappi, G. Bergonzini, P. Melchiorre

“Photo-Organocatalysis of Atom-Transfer Radical Additions to Alkenes”
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2014) 53, 12064-12068
E. Arceo, E. Montroni, P. Melchiorre