Desymmetrization of Cyclopropenes

• Applicant: Dr. Katja Krämer
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2008 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 116880113

The first project aims to develop a new enantio- and diastereoselective carbozincation reaction of cyclopropenes, to study the possibility of using more highly functionalized organozinc reagents as well as to investigate the trapping reactions of the cyclopropylzinc species that arise from the carbometalation step. This methodology will grant access to a broad scope of structural motifs which are often found in biologically active compounds. Our ultimate targets include dopamine mimics such as milnacipran and NMDA antagonists. The second project intends the development of a diastereoselective inter- as well as intramolecular Friedel-Crafts arylation of tetralins. The tetralin core is featured in many pharmaceutically important agents, thus a method of accessing this skeleton in a selective fashion is of particular interest. For instance, it is found in medicines ranging from antidepressants including SertralineTM, analgesic agents, anticancer agents such etoposide, to compounds CNS activity.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Mark Lautens, Ph.D.