Prof. Dr. Tanja Gulder, Saarland University:
Halogen Atoms as Directing Tools: From Reactivity to Bioactive Compounds

Nature takes advantage of the beneficial properties of carbon-halogen (C,X) bonds and uses them as a strategic tool for assembling structurally complex frameworks. Likewise, installing a halogen atom in organic synthesis opens further transformations, particularly carbon-carbon (C,C) forming reactions. By harnessing the concept of cryptic halogenations using hypervalent iodane chemistry, electrochemistry, or combining enzyme and chemocatalysis, efficient multi-step sequences are performed in a straightforward way. In addition, our group utilizes fluorinated Lewis acid-Lewis base cooperative effects, thus steering transformations, such as terpene cyclizations, and activating strong bonds, e.g., for hydrogen isotope exchange, by creating dynamic and catalytically active supramolecular assemblies in solution.