Biomimmetic Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of the Bisorbicillinoids and Related Products PhD 36 months PHD Programme By Loughborough University |TopUniversities

Programme overview

Main Subject

Chemistry

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

In this proposal we aim to discover a new way of making complex molecules from simple aromatic startingmaterials. These complex molecules, known as bisorbicillinoids have previously been found to be extremely challenging to prepare by several research groups. Our approach utilises the new application of a catalyst that is only comprised of organic components - know as an organocatalyst. Organocatalysis is a particularly topical area since the 2021 Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to Prof. D. Macmillan and Prof. B. List for their ground breaking work in establishing the field in the early 2000's.

The dearomatisation of stable aromatic building blocks provides rapid routes to often complex natural product frameworks. However, the selective construction of such compounds in a catalytic highly enantioselective fashion remains a long-standing challenge. It is only recently that our group reported preliminary studies on a highly enantioselective organocatalytic route to hydroxylative dearomatisation, exemplified in the synthesis of (+)-biscaravacrol in 61% yield and 99:1 e.r. in one synthetic step from carvacrol. Please see related online paper

We will develop a novel highly enantioselective route to previously difficult to access natural and non-natural products. This new methodology will give practical access to gram quantities of known bisorbicillinoids and new non-natural analogues which we believe will be a valuable class of compounds for future investigators interested in the biological activity of small molecules. Given our preliminary results and experience with oxaziridinium catalysed processes we are confident that we can successfully achieve the aims and objectives of this proposal.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Chemistry

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

In this proposal we aim to discover a new way of making complex molecules from simple aromatic startingmaterials. These complex molecules, known as bisorbicillinoids have previously been found to be extremely challenging to prepare by several research groups. Our approach utilises the new application of a catalyst that is only comprised of organic components - know as an organocatalyst. Organocatalysis is a particularly topical area since the 2021 Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to Prof. D. Macmillan and Prof. B. List for their ground breaking work in establishing the field in the early 2000's.

The dearomatisation of stable aromatic building blocks provides rapid routes to often complex natural product frameworks. However, the selective construction of such compounds in a catalytic highly enantioselective fashion remains a long-standing challenge. It is only recently that our group reported preliminary studies on a highly enantioselective organocatalytic route to hydroxylative dearomatisation, exemplified in the synthesis of (+)-biscaravacrol in 61% yield and 99:1 e.r. in one synthetic step from carvacrol. Please see related online paper

We will develop a novel highly enantioselective route to previously difficult to access natural and non-natural products. This new methodology will give practical access to gram quantities of known bisorbicillinoids and new non-natural analogues which we believe will be a valuable class of compounds for future investigators interested in the biological activity of small molecules. Given our preliminary results and experience with oxaziridinium catalysed processes we are confident that we can successfully achieve the aims and objectives of this proposal.

Admission Requirements

3.2+
6.5+
92+

01 Apr 2025
3 Years
Jan
Apr

Domestic
4,786
International
27,500

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