Heterocyclic ring systems are essential in drug design, serving as core structures in many approved drugs. Nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocycles, in particular, have become increasingly significant in recent years. Despite the availability of efficient synthetic methods, there is an ongoing need for new approaches that offer higher molecular complexity, better functional group compatibility, and atom economy, using readily available starting materials under mild conditions. Gold catalysis has gained attention as a promising tool for these challenges, offering high selectivity and tolerance to a wide range of functional groups, making it an important catalyst in organic and medicinal chemistry.
My research focuses on two interconnected lines, both of which involve gold catalysis for the synthesis of heterocycles. In the first line, I use gold catalysis in synthetic sequences which transform amino acids into interesting and biologically relevant heterocycles. This approach highlights the unique properties of gold catalysts, enabling efficient transformations while using amino acids as accessible and cost-effective starting materials. The second line explores the use of water-soluble gold(I)-NHC catalysts, which align with Green Chemistry principles by operating in water as a solvent and reducing waste. Notably, one of these catalysts can be recycled up to 15 times, further enhancing the sustainability of the process.