Exploration of new reaction tools for late-stage functionalization of complex chemicals

• Published in: Canadian journal of chemistry Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 67 - 85
• Main Authors: Dominguez-Huerta, Alejandra, Dai, Xi-Jie, Zhou, Feng, Querard, Pierre, Qiu, Zihang, Ung, Sosthene, Liu, Wenbo, Li, Jianbin, Li, Chao-Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa NRC Research Press 01.02.2019; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: amino acid modification; Amino acids; Atom economy; catalyse; Catalysis; CDC reaction; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; clivage de groupes fonctionnels; Conversion; conversion sélective; couplage A; couplage croisé déshydrogénant; couplage phénolique; coupling; difluoromethylthiolation; difluorométhylthiolation; Durable goods; emprunt d’hydrogène; Environmental impact; Forecasts and trends; functional group removal; Functional groups; Hydrogen; hydrogen borrowing; late-stage modification; Methods; modification d’acide aminé; modification en fin de synthèse; Organic chemistry; phenol coupling; Phenols (Class of compounds); photochemistry; photochimie; Reagents; selective conversion; Transformations; trifluoromethylation; trifluorométhylation
• ISSN: 0008-4042; 1480-3291
• DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2018-0357

Chemistry has always had as a target the conversion of molecules into valuable materials. Nevertheless, the aim of past synthesis has primarily focused on achieving a given transformation, regardless of the environmental impact of the synthetic route. Given the current global situation, the demand for sustainable alternatives has substantially increased. Our group focuses on developing selective chemical transformations that benefit from mild conditions, improved atom economy, and that can make use of renewable feedstocks as starting materials. This account summarizes our work over the past two decades specifically regarding the selective removal, conversion, and addition of functional groups that can, later on, be applied at a late stage for the modification of complex molecules.