DATE2023.10.11 #Press Releases

Eco-friendly alkylation could revolutionize the synthesis of fine chemicals

The newly developed reactions will reduce chemical waste while contributing to the efficient synthesis of fine chemicals. 
 
Oct 11, 2023   
 
Organic synthesis, involving bond formation between carbon atoms, is fundamental for the efficient synthesis of fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. An example of such reactions includes the alkylation of hydrocarbon compounds. However, these reactions often result in significant wastage due to the formation of coproducts such as metal halides. A research team led by Shū Kobayashi and Yasuhiro Yamashita of the University of Tokyo revealed an efficient alkylation reaction of a carbonyl compound with a significant reduction in waste compared to other known methods. 
  
The team used metal-free organic photocatalysts under blue light to obtain the reaction products while reducing waste efficiently. The significant reduction in waste will help reduce environmental pollution. 
  
Thanks to this new synthetic method, the team could efficiently synthesize well-known pharmaceutical chemicals such as anti-inflammatory and anti-epileptic drugs. The findings will improve the efficient synthesis of various fine chemicals. 
 

Figure. Photoinduced alkylation of a carbonyl compound with a nonactivated alkene 

For more details, please read the article:   
Yasuhiro Yamashita, Yoshihiro Ogasawara, Trisha Banik,  Shū Kobayashi. 2023. Photoinduced Efficient Catalytic α-Alkylation Reactions of Active Methylene and Methine Compounds with Nonactivated Alkenes. Journal of the American Chemical Society. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07436