Development of sustainable synthetic methods by combining mechanochemistry and hypervalent iodine chemistry

In this proposal, we combine the chemistry of hypervalent iodine compounds with mechanochemistry, which is an emerging technology that remains underdeveloped in academia as well as in industry.

Hypervalent iodine compounds are low-toxic, highly selective reagents that are compatible with a range of functional groups.

Through the merger with mechanochemistry, we will develop organic chemistry methodology that is safe, uses sustainable and non-toxic reagents under mild conditions, and avoids reaction solvents.We will first gain expertise on mechanochemical reactions of iodine(III) compounds with a range of nucleophiles under transition metal-free conditions by studying transformations that are reported in solution.

We will study selectivity differences under solvent-free conditions, and  investigate the synthesis of iodine(III) compounds under mechanochemical conditions. Finally one-pot reactions where iodine(III) reagents are synthesized and used without isolation will be developed.

This will enable the use of unstable reagents and discovery of novel reactivity, with a long-term aim to develop reactions using catalytic amounts of iodoarene.The project is designed in accordance with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, as the developed chemistry will be energy efficient and highly selective, thus minimizing by-products and waste formation.

The project is designed for one PhD student (4-years) and 2 post docs (2-years each) and is well supported by preliminary results.