Project description
The proposal aims at the use of readily available terpenes as starting materials for nitrogen heterocycle synthesis. Nitrogen heterocycles such as substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines are very important building blocks for the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Recently developed palladium catalyzed reactions are excellent tools in functionalizing compounds that contain carbon-carbon double bonds and will be further developed to incorporate nitrogen into the starting materials. This will require a fundamental study, applied on terpene (derivatives) that are readily available on large scale such as myrcene, citral and geraniol. Enantioselectivity will be introduced with suitable chiral ligands.
The proposal aims at the use of readily available terpenes as starting materials for nitrogen heterocycle synthesis. Nitrogen heterocycles such as substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines are very important building blocks for the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Recently developed palladium catalyzed reactions are excellent tools in functionalizing compounds that contain carbon-carbon double bonds and will be further developed to incorporate nitrogen into the starting materials. This will require a fundamental study, applied on terpene (derivatives) that are readily available on large scale such as myrcene, citral and geraniol. Enantioselectivity will be introduced with suitable chiral ligands.
Requirements
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a master in synthetic organic chemistry or homogeneous catalysis.
Conditions of employment
A Ph.D. Scholarship at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and the Institute for Technology, Engineering & Management at the University of Groningen will be provided for four years. Assistance with stay permits in the Netherlands for non- EU citizens will be provided by the university.
Applications
Please send your applications including curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of at least two references before January 15th to:
Personnel Department
University of Groningen
P.O.Box 72
9700 AB GRONINGEN
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@bureau.rug.nlAdditional information
Supervisors: prof. dr. A. J. Minnaard (homepage) and prof. dr. J. G. de Vries
Contact: prof. dr. A. J. Minnaard