Development of atom-economical and stereoselective catalytic radical reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Gansäuer
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 377331858

Catalysis is an enabling branch of science providing access to novel materials and processes. It is therefore ideally suited to deliver sustainable solutions for the demands of modern societies. As pointed out by Anastas[1] this is so, because catalysis can be employed in the design of selective processes that maximize the amount of raw material ending up in the product, in the use of renewable energy sources and in avoiding the production of waste. We have demonstrated that radicals are attractive as key-intermediates for sustainable catalysis by developing systems for radical reduction or arylation through the coupling of catalytic cycles and for epoxide hydrosilylations. These results lead the way for a mechanism-guided design of efficient catalysts for new and highly stereoselective as well as sustainable radical reactions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants