Molecular Chirality Switches for Biarylethane Systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gebhard Haberhauer
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 424567107

The object of the project is the synthesis and investigation of molecular chirality switches for biarylethane systems. While the use of two aryl units connected via a single bond (biaryls) as chiral receptors, catalysts or reagents is widespread, two aryl units connected via an ethano bridge (biarylethanes) are considered as achiral. This is however not the case; only the rotation around the single bonds makes this system appear achiral. In context of the project we would like to develop a system which locks the biarylethane unit in a specific helicity (P or M) and moreover allows reversible switching between the two helicities (P -> M and M -> P). The construction principle of this chirality switch is generally applicable and a multitude of aryl systems can be used. The long-term vision of this project is the development of biarylethane systems which, in analogy to the biaryl compounds, can work as enantioselective receptors and catalysts, but which additionally have reversibly switchable helicity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants