Asymmetric Organocatalysis: Development of New Methodologies and Application in Total Synthesis

Abstract

Brazil has the basic chemical industry ranked among the world's largest and, at the moment, is choosing to develop its fine chemicals industry. The creation of a solid background for Fine Chemicals will require a change in behavior, once this sector is extremely competitive. In this context, the domain of organic synthesis is an indispensable condition since it allows the development of alternative processes in order to obtain substances with high added value, such as, active pharmaceutical compounds. In fact, the search for more economical technologies through the design and development of short synthetic routes, avoiding the use of anhydrous solvents, inert and reactive systems difficult to handle, and excessive purifications, is of huge importance nowadays. These questions have prompted the research of many scientists, especially in pharmaceutical industry, where is important to synthesize the active substances with a low price and a short time. The requirements listed above can be easily achieved through the use of ORGANOCATALYSIS. The importance of this methodology, which employs small organic molecules to build up new chemical bonds, has grown exponentially in recent years. Furthermore, the application of an organocatalytic approach is extremely useful when the synthesis of molecules with asymmetric centers is pursued. It is also worth mentioning that the reaction conditions proposed in this project follow the green chemistry principles (atom economy, absence of metals, sequential reactions and no need to use anhydrous conditions).