Our mission is to harness the power of catalysis to solve complex problems in organic chemistry, and we do this by focusing on two key pillars: Biomimetic Cyclization, Sustainable Upcycling and Organometallic Chemistry.
Inspired by nature, crafted by chemistry
Our research group is inspired by one of nature's most powerful tools: polyene cyclizations. We're fascinated by the incredible efficiency of enzymes, like squalene-hopene cyclase, which can transform simple molecules into complex polycyclic structures in a single, highly selective step. These biomimetic cyclizations are a true masterclass in elegant synthesis, creating intricate carbon skeletons with perfect stereo- and regioselectivity. Pioneers such as Johnson and Van Tamelen laid the groundwork for this field, often using Brønsted or Lewis acids to initiate these reactions. Building on their legacy, our group is now pushing the boundaries of this chemistry. We've developed a cutting-edge approach that uses transition metals like iridium, copper, and iron to achieve results that were once exclusive to nature's toolkit. A key achievement has been our recent work in incorporating heteroatoms, specifically nitrogen, into these polycyclic systems. This is a significant breakthrough because fused aza-cyclic compounds are essential building blocks for synthesizing advanced pharmaceuticals and natural products. By combining nature's wisdom with our innovative catalytic methods, we are not only expanding the scope of this chemistry but also contributing to the creation of new tools for modern drug discovery.
Selected Publications:
The second, equally important pillar of our research addresses a critical challenge in modern chemistry: sustainability. Many transition metals crucial for catalysis are not only rare and expensive, but their extraction and processing also carry a significant environmental cost. A purely linear economy—where we take, make, and dispose—is simply not sustainable for the future of our planet or our science. To tackle this, we are pioneering a new approach: sustainable upcycling. Our work is centered on transforming what is typically considered waste into valuable, high-performance resources. We are developing innovative methods to recover discarded metals like neodymium, cobalt, samarium and iron which are commonly found in industrial byproducts and electronic waste. Instead of letting these valuable elements end up in landfills, we give them a new purpose. This not only reduces waste and minimizes our reliance on new mining, but it also helps to create a more circular and environmentally friendly process for chemical synthesis. By rethinking how we source our materials, we are not just doing great science; we are contributing to a greener and more responsible future for the chemical industry.
Have a look to our collaborative project: NEO-CYCLE
Our group investigates the design, reactivity, and applications of organometallic complexes featuring gold, palladium, and titanium as central elements. A major focus lies on palladium-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost asymmetric allylic alkylation as a versatile strategy to access stereodefined furans and related heterocycles with high enantioselectivity. In parallel, we explore gold complexes in allene activation and transformation chemistry, uncovering new reactivity patterns that enable selective molecular rearrangements and C–C bond construction. Extending to early transition metals, our work on titanocene derivatives targets their potential as radiotheranostic agents, integrating organometallic design with biomedical applications. Through a combination of synthetic, mechanistic, and computational approaches, we aim to expand the scope of organometallic chemistry from fundamental bond activation to functional materials and therapeutic platforms.
Selected Publications: