PhD defence X. (Xiaofang) Lei

Functionalized molecules via MCRs: applications in drug discovery and material science

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are highly efficient one-pot synthetic approaches for the synthesis of complex and versatile scaffolds. To date, these reactions are considered pillars of medicinal and organic chemistry. Additionally, they can also open the innovative avenue leading to the realm of material design and synthesis of novel bioactive compounds. It is estimated that about 5% of the currently available drugs could potentially be assembled via MCRs. In material science, the MCR-functionalization of materials bridges the gap between materials science and applied chemistry. Surprisingly, their application in drug discovery and material science is still limited, considering their merits. For example, to the best of our knowledge, MCRs are barely used in material chemistry, particularly towards the synthesis of organic electronic materials such as tetrathiafulvalene(TTF)-based derivatives. During this Ph.D. thesis, exploitation of the MCRs applications in both drug design and material science occurred. Compared with the traditional synthetic protocols, the proposed novel MCR procedures are of higher quality due to the following characteristics: mild conditions, speed, commercially available starting materials, easily scale up approaches and reduced purification steps. In this study, several bioactive and organic electronic materials via MCRs are developed. Herein, five chapters are dealing with the utilization of the MCRs. In summary, more than 160 molecules are obtained and most of these potential adducts are first time synthesized.

Promotors: Prof.dr. A.S.S. Domling and dr. C. Neochoritis