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Organisation

Organic synthesis (ORSY)

Research Group

Main organisation:Department of Chemistry
Lifecycle:1 Oct 2003 →  Today
Organisation profile:The expertise of the research team is situated in the area of transition metal catalyzed reactions and heterocyclic chemistry (pyridazines, indoles, quinolines, purines). Besides the study of fundamental aspects of transition metal catalyzed reactions (mainly palladium) such as halide effects, base effects, and the influence of molecular heating via microwave irradiation, transition metal catalyzed methods are developed which allow synthesizing (novel) azaheteroaromatic basic skeletons. The new skeletons are interesting "scaffolds" which after specific decoration allow the development of novel enzyme inhibitor and receptor agonist/antagonist. For this purpose we collaborate with academic teams (specialized in medicinal chemistry) and companies. Special attention in the transition metal catalysis work is devoted to the C(sp2)-H bond activation as no carbon-metal (B, Sn, Zn, Mg, ...) or carbon-(pseudo)halogen bond is required for the functionalizations. In addition our group works in the area of nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen where C(sp2)-H bond activation is achieved by the addition of an oxidant in stead of a transition metal catalyst. To support the reaction mechanisms in the homogeneous catalysis work DFT calculations are performed using the supercomputer of the university. This research is performed in collaboration with Prof. Herrebout and Prof. Van der Veken of the University of Antwerp.
Keywords:HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY, PYRIDINE RINGS, PALLADIUM-CATALYZED REACTIONS, MICROWAVE-ASSISTED ORGANIC SYNTHESES, PYRIDAZINE
Disciplines:Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry