Molecular Complexity through Catalyst Design

The biological properties of a molecule correlate with its three-dimensional configuration. Potential leads for drug discovery are often identified as complex molecular structures with a high degree of saturation and numerous sp3-hybridized carbon atoms. These features can present synthetic difficulties for organic chemists under the aspect of connectivity, regio- and stereoselectivity that call for novel solutions.

The research interests of the Zuccarello group focus on the design of novel catalysts and catalytic systems that allow to disclose unconventional retrosynthetic disconnections, addressing various aspects of selectivity including regio-, site- and enantioselectivity. We are particularly interested in the direct conversion of low value starting materials and abundant feedstock chemicals such as hydrocarbons and olefins, into high value fine chemicals for the rapid assembly of complex molecular structures. An equally central part of our research program is the mechanistic understanding of the newly developed catalytic transformations.

In view of the global need to develop sustainable processes we rely on green technologies spanning from photoredox and earth abundant metal catalysis and self-assembling catalysts.