Chemical Society Seminar: Daniele Leonori - Novel Synthetic Methods in Halogen-Atom Transfer and Nitroarene Reactivity

Abstract:

In this presentation I will discuss two recent research lines from my group focused on the development and understanding of halogen-atom transfer and excited nitroarene reactivity. Halogen-atom transfer (XAT). Organic halides are valuable building blocks for the generation of alkyl and aryl radicals. However, their applications in photoredox catalysis can be difficult owing to their very negative reduction potentials. I will present our recent work focused on the use of a-aminoalkyl radicals as XAT mediators for the homolytic activation of alkyl iodides and bromides and their application in synthesis.1,2 Furthermore, I will discuss a non-canonical activation mode in XAT that eludes both kinetic and thermodynamic control.3. Photoexcited nitroarenes. Nitroaromatics are widely available feedstocks that are routinely used for the preparation of anilines. I will present our most recent work that demonstrates how these species can be used, upon blue light irradiation, to promote the ozonolysis-style cleave of olefins4 and also, in a skeletal editing logic, to allow preparation of complex and highly functionalised azepanes.5

Bio:

Daniele obtained his PhD at the University of Sheffield under the supervision of Iain Coldham. After PostDoctoral stays with Profs Magnus Rueping (RWTH Aachen University) and Peter Seeberger (Max Plank Institute), Daniele joined Prof Varinder Aggarwal FRS group at Bristol as a Research Officer. In 2014, Daniele started his independent career at the University of Manchester as Lecturer and was promoted to Professor in 2020. In 2022, Daniele moved to RWTH Aachen University where he is a W3 Professor of Organic Chemistry.