Thermodynamically Robust Transfer Reagents for Molecular Editing

The increasing demand of complex organic molecules, either because of their biological activity or technical interest are opening a new period in Organic Synthesis, which is mainly focused on the discovery of novel transformations that can be carried out in already (poly)functionalized substrates.

As part of this trend, the development new reagents capable to transfer additional functional groups at the desired position of advanced synthetic intermediates is of paramount importance.

Areas such as crop science and drug discovery make extensive use of this working methodology for the improvement of their original targets and the identification of new ones.Arguably, the most versatile group transfer reagents used in organic synthesis are those based on hypervalent I(III) structures.

However, their implementation in industrial processes is seriously limited by their highly reactive nature. Hypervalent iodine (III) compounds are known to be potentially explosive and this limits their use to small scale. Restrictive safety conditions also apply for their synthesis and storage.

To circumvent these drawbacks, we developed with the ERC Consolidator SULFOSOL (771295) a general approach for the straightforward preparation of thermodynamically more robust transfer reagents based on the use of low prize sulfur-containing platforms.

Through the intervention of ChemEd, we will push the chemical space beyond the existing boundaries through the synthesis of reagents able to transfer the unique structural entities identified by our industrial partners. ChemEd will simultaneously address the scale-up synthesis of such reagents, to proceed with their commercialization.