Libraries of Catalysts for Organic Syntheses

Figure 1. Approaches to cataylst discovery and optimization.

Our group is interested in accelerating catalyst discovery and optimization by parallel screening of

libraries of catalysts in a one-compound-per-well format, ie the central route indicated in Figure 1.

 

We have found an interesting and useful hydrogenation catalyst. Now we are in the process of

establishing that it can be used to control absolute and relative stereochemistry simultaneously.

Molecules with methyl groups arranged on a chain in 1,3,5,n motifs are very common in natural

products, but they are tedious to make via the conventional, non-catalytic methods. Our goal is to

demonstrate how this can be done using hydrogenation chemistry.

 

Figure 2 Illustrative synthesis of a natural product, lardolure.