Prof. Dr. Viktor Iaroshenko, Matej Bel University:
Late-stage functionalization of aromatic compounds under mechanochemical conditions

The presented research aimed at development of new methodologies for straightforward introduction/transformation of common organic functional groups in complex aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds under mechanochemical conditions. This covers four main areas: functionalization of in situ generated N-aryl pyridinium salts (formation C-C and C-Het(O, F) bonds as a result of C-N bond cleavage; late-stage functionalization of O-unprotected phenols (introduction of - CF3 group as well as aromatic and heteroaromatic functionalities in place of the OH); aliphatic C-F bond activation utilizing oxides of rare-earth elements (practical late-stage transformation of -CF3 group); utilization of nanocellulose and nanochitin as efficient reaction media in solid-state mechanochemical synthesis.