Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU)’s research team led by Paul Knochel has developed a general and economical method for the production of a type of intermediates that can be directly utilized in the Suzuki reaction.
The Suzuki reaction is the simple method of producing carbon-carbon bonds for the formation of compounds that are used as starting materials in the production of numerous organic molecules. The reaction utilizes palladium to accelerate the cross-linking of organoboron compounds with molecules containing organic halogen. It allows the direct coupling of carbon atoms with each other. The substances produced by the reaction can be used for the production of innovative materials and special drugs.
Knochel stated that the new method is an inexpensive method as it generates minimum amount of unwanted byproducts. The method is important in an industrial point of view as Suzuki reactions are utilized in the production of drug compounds and unique materials, including liquid crystals for display panels, he added.
Christoph Sämann, one of the researchers, stated that the research team optimized the process to produce the boronates in a one-pot reaction. The process is compatible with various functional groups and thus can be used for the production of numerous compounds. The organoborantes produced by the new method feature two organic molecules bonded to the boron atom and both groups can be shifted without loss during the course of the following Suzuki reaction, resulting in the improvement of overall output.