Research

The research activities at the department cover many areas of experimental and theoretical organic chemistry, which are described below with links to the involved research groups.

Selective synthesis

Methodology for stereo- and chemoselective synthesis, including asymmetric catalysis, is a main area of research at the department. Our investigations are directed toward new methods and strategies for the construction of complex molecules ranging from biologically active compounds, and natural products to novel ligands for catalysis. The synthetic targets are often organic derivatives of main group elements, such as boron, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, iodine, and silicon-containing species. (Andersson, Bäckvall, Martín-Matute, Mendoza, Olofsson, Samec, Selander, Szabó, Widmalm)

Transition metal-catalyzed organic transformations

Our multidisciplinary research program focuses on the development of efficient, practical and novel synthetic methods for the construction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Catalysts based on both homogeneous and heterogeneous complexes of Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, Fe, Cu and In, among others, are designed and synthesized. The methods developed include isomerization reactions, C-H functionalizations, cross-couplings, carbonylations, oxidation and reduction processes, and allylation reactions. Mechanistic studies of the developed reactions are performed using experimental and computational tools. (Andersson, Bäckvall, Martín-Matute, Mendoza, Samec, Selander, Szabó)

Transition metals are also studied in electron-transfer processes to develop new systems for biomimetic oxidations, benign visible-light driven C–C cross-coupling and artificial photosynthesis. (Bäckvall, Mendoza, Åkermark)

Quantum chemical molecular modeling

We use quantum chemical methodology, mainly density functional theory (DFT), to investigate reaction mechanisms and sources of various kinds of selectivities in both homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis. The same methodology is used to study reaction mechanisms in redox-active metalloenzymes. The work is conducted in close collaboration with experimental groups, both locally at the Department and also internationally. (Blomberg, Himo, Siegbahn)

Hypervalent iodine chemistry

The studies focus on the development and applications of iodine(III) reagents in organic synthesis. One-pot routes for efficient synthesis of iodonium salts and benziodoxolones are developed, and novel reagents are designed. Applications include arylations, vinylations, fluorinations and trifluoromethylations under metal-free or metal-catalyzed conditions. (Olofsson, Szabó)

Bioorganic chemistry

NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the structure and function of carbohydrates and their interaction with proteins. The synthetic carbohydrate chemistry involves preparation of derivatives and analogues of natural polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, as well as development of glycosyltransferase inhibitors. (Widmalm)

Green chemistry

The studies are focused at utilizing renewable sources as raw material in organic synthesis. (Andersson, Martín-Matute, Samec)

PET chemistry

The organofluorine chemistry involves development of new 18F-labeling methods for synthesis of radioligands for Positron Emission Tomography. (Szabó)

Medicinal Chemistry at SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development platform

The medicinal chemistry is focused on identification of early small molecule leads with potential to be developed into drugs. This platform collaborates with Swedish academic groups in different drug discovery projects.