New Directions in Photoredox Gold Catalysis and Total Synthesis

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The development of new methods and strategies for the effective synthesis of molecules with important applications in medicine and materials science is of paramount importance. Since most traditional chemical reactions to build carbon-carbon bonds have a poor atomic economy, i.e. the quantity of reagents is not equal to the quantity of all products manufactured, catalysis by transition metals has become one of the essential fields in organic chemistry. In the recent years, homogenous catalysis by coinage metals has received considerable attention by the scientific community, notably catalysis by gold (Au). The goal of this research program is to address fundamental challenges associated with the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen by developing new Au(I)-catalyzed cyclization and photoredox transformations of general applicability for the synthesis of complex natural products. The high affinity of Au(I/III) salts for alkynes and allenes in the presence of many other functional groups, combined with its ability to stabilize cationic charge provide tremendous opportunities for the discovery novel and useful reactions. In addition, phosphino dimeric gold complexes can be used as photocatalyst given their high-energy and long-lived excited states and strong reduction potentials. The unique properties of the photoexcited dimeric gold complex offer new chemical reactivities that are complementary but also different from the popular catalysts such as Ir (III) and Ru (II)-based polypyridyl complexes. Specifically, we will develop new photoredox transformations via Au(I)/Au(III) redox cycle for the formation carbocycles and heterocycles through radical cascade and cross-coupling reactions. We will also explore the synergistic merger of photoredox and transition metal catalysis using earth-abundant lanthanides for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. Taking advantage of the inherent mechanistic divergence of the Au(I)-catalyzed cyclization, we will develop a general strategy to construct triterpene scaffolds in a single operation through an exo-Diels-Alder/Au(I)-catalyzed polycyclization. This creates a unique platform for the efficient synthesis of complex triterpenes, notably quassines which are particularly difficult to synthesize. To complement this research program, we will propose an efficient total synthesis ginkgolides B & C through a careful orchestration of transformations minimizing the use of protecting groups and redox flow. This project provides a fertile ground for innovation, discovery and strategic planning. Overall, this research program provides a new platform for the development efficient synthetic methods and strategies for the synthesis of important molecules. Also, this program offers an inclusive collaborative training environment that fosters critical scientific thinking, creation of innovative solutions and provide broad synthetic expertise and strategic planning experiences to HQP.