Enantioselective Ni-Catalyzed Arylation of NHP Esters Enabled by Continuous Flow

Chemical reactions are traditionally run as single batches in glasswear such as vials or round-bottom flasks. Conversely, flow chemistry is a discipline in which reactions are run in a continuously flowing stream. Flow chemistry offers several advantages over batch chemistry, such as improved mass transfer, increased efficiency, reduced waste, improved scalability, and greater control over reaction conditions. This project proposes the design of a new flow photoreactor for the asymmetric Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of redox-active esters with aryl halides. This research will address current limitations in asymmetric cross-coupling by enabling more precise control over the conditions used to activate the redox-active substrates. The project will also utilize the robotic platform “RoboChem” to facilitate self-optimization and intensification of the transformation. This project represents a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam and the University of Toronto. Through this collaboration, the University of Amsterdam will gain expertise in Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling, a powerful synthetic method in organic chemistry. Likewise, the University of Toronto will gain expertise in flow chemistry, a valuable enabling technology for 21st century chemists. Collectively, this study will leverage state-of-the-art technology to develop a synthetic method that forms pharmaceutically-relevant molecules with high selectivity.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sophie Rousseaux

Student:

Partner:

University of Amsterdam

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: