Research Projects

The selective functionalization of Csp3-H bonds is a significant topic in organic synthesis due to the abundant reactants in alkanes and cycloalkanes. Transition-metal catalysis, radical processes, and enzymatic catalysis-based strategies have been used, but have disadvantages such as expensive transition metals, poor regioselectivity, and limited substrates. Recently, the functionalization of inactivated Csp3-H bonds has emerged as a valuable strategy, attracting the synthetic community. However, few reports have been published, and these methods involve in-situ generation of vinyl carbocations. The current proposal proposes investigating the design and development of strategies to explore the reactivity of vinyl carbocations for the functionalization of Csp3-H bonds. The (aza)alkyne-Prins cyclization can be promoted both intramolecularly and intermolecularly, resulting in the formation of structurally distinct (endo- & exo-) vinyl carbocations. This strategy has the potential for the generation of several structurally diverse vinyl carbocations. Using vinylic carbocations as a tool for the functionalization of Csp3-H bonds, novel synthetic strategies for the rapid synthesis of polycyclic frameworks are proposed. These strategies include the bimolecular nature, various combinations of reacting partners, generation of both carbocycles and heterocycles, and access to hetero- and carba-bridged polycyclic systems. The goal is to extend these strategies and the derived building blocks for the total synthesis of bioactive natural products and medicinal and pharmaceutical important molecules.