Bicyclo[n.1.1]alkanes (BCAs) have emerged as important building blocks in contemporary drug design. These bridged ring structures are usually prepared from ring-opening reactions of [n.1.1]propellanes, and additions to bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs). However, current routes to [n.1.1]propellanes rely on the use of alkyl/aryllithium reagents to effect closure of their three-membered rings, while BCB synthesis is also frequently reliant on strongly basic reaction conditions. This project seeks to address these shortcomings by developing contemporary strategies to improve the sustainability and scalability of propellane and BCB synthesis, and to apply these methods to the functionalisation of BCAs.

Key publications:
Conquering the Synthesis and Functionalization of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes. (JACS Au, 2023, 3, 1539)
Synthesis of meta-substituted arene bioisosteres from [3.1.1]propellane. (Nature, 2022, 611, 721)

For further details please contact Ed Anderson (edward.anderson@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Modern life is impossible to imagine without polymers. However, the environmental persistence and reliance on fossil resources of most used polymers make them unsustainable. In collaboration with SCG Chemicals, this project will investigate the utilisation of abundant natural carbohydrate feedstocks to produce recyclable and degradable bio-based plastics, whose properties can compete with or complement those of polyolefins such as polyethylene, towards a circular economy of plastics with a low carbon footprint.

Key publications:
Polymers from sugars and unsaturated fatty acids: ADMET polymerisation of monomers derived from D-xylose, D-mannose and castor oil. (Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 2681)
Xylose-Based Polyethers and Polyesters Via ADMET Polymerization toward Polyethylene-Like Materials. (ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 2021, 3, 587)
Catalytic Reductive Functionalization of Tertiary Amides using Vaska’s Complex: Synthesis of Complex Tertiary Amine Building Blocks and Natural Products. (ACS Catal., 2020, 10, 8880)

Useful links:
Buchard research group: www.buchardgroup.org

For further details please contact Antoine Buchard (antoine.buchard@york.ac.uk)

Molecules containing stereogenic phosphorous (V) atoms are commonplace in bioactive medicines and agrochemicals ranging from: antivirals, to cardiovascular treatments, to herbicides, yet their syntheses are often challenging, specific to the target molecule, and use stoichiometric amounts of non-recyclable chiral auxiliaries. This proposal aims to develop sustainable catalytic enantioselective routes to novel chiral phosphorous (V) building blocks and demonstrate their potential downstream broad scope applicability in medicinal and agrochemical research programs.

Key publications:
Catalytic enantioselective nucleophilic desymmetrization of phosphonate esters. (Nat. Chem., 2023, 15, 714)
Second Generation Catalytic Enantioselective Nucleophilic Desymmetrization at Phosphorus (V): Improved Generality, Efficiency and Modularity. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202400673)
Bifunctional Iminophosphorane Superbase Catalysis: Applications in Organic Synthesis. (Acc. Chem. Res., 2020, 53, 2235)

For further details please contact Darren Dixon (darren.dixon@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project contains exciting opportunities for the production of complex stereochemically defined ‘3D’ heterocycles from simple, easily prepared, ‘2D’ aromatic precursors. This work will allow dearomatisation reactions to become a mainstay of synthetic organic chemistry and will provide outputs that are extremely useful to the pharmaceutical industry.

Key publications:
Evolution of the dearomative functionalization of activated quinolines and isoquinolines: Expansion of the electrophile scope. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202204682)
The reductive C3 functionalization of pyridinium and quinolinium salts through iridium-catalysed interrupted transfer hydrogenation. (Nat. Chem., 2019, 11, 242)

For further details please contact Tim Donohoe (timothy.donohoe@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Macrocyclic compounds have emerged as a promising alternative to small molecules against difficult-to-treat targets. However, challenges in their synthesis, in particular with regards to cyclisation have hindered further discovery. This project will develop efficient AI-driven approaches to design macrocycle-based inhibitors to tackle the growing threat of microbial drug resistance.

Useful links:
Duarte research group: https://www.duartegroupchem.org
Unsworth research group: https://unsworthlab.weebly.com
Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research: https://www.ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk

For further details please contact Fernanda Duarte (fernanda.duartegonzalez@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Surfactants are used in virtually every industry, and there is a high demand for biodegradable surfactants to prevent pollution and increase process efficiency. Some control over transient surfactant concentration has recently been achieved in an oscillating chemical system. This project involves learning how to control surfactant concentration using electrochemistry – and to give us the ability to turn-on or turn-off the presence of surfactants on demand.

Key publications:
Information transduction via fuel-controlled chemical waves. (Chem, 2024, 10, 1)

For further details please contact Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Asymmetric cross-coupling technologies are powerful techniques that represent the state-of-the-art in the construction of chiral small molecules. Our laboratory has developed a series of Suzuki-type reactions which use commercially available and experimentally convenient boronic acids, but these reactions currently rely on using rhodium-based catalysts. This proposal aims to develop related methods which use non-precious metal as catalysts.

Key publications:
Chelation enables selectivity control in enantioconvergent Suzuki–Miyaura cross-couplings on acyclic allylic systems. (Nat. Chem., 2024, 16, 791)
Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Suzuki and Related Cross-Coupling Reactions. (Aldrichimica ACTA, 2024, 57, 1)

For further details please contact Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@chem.ox.ac.uk)

There is increasing interest in the use of surfactants to tackle key elements of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is our hypothesis that the effectiveness of, and opportunities provided by, such agents could be dramatically improved through the incorporation of a “photoswitch” motif into the structure of the surfactant. This work will develop and study such photodynamic surfactants to pioneer a new modality to tackle AMR.

Key publications:
Light Responsiveness and Assembly of Arylazopyrazole-Based Surfactants in Neat and Mixed CTAB Micelles. (JACS Au, 2022, 2, 2670)
Light-Driven Hexagonal-to-Cubic Phase Switching in Arylazopyrazole Lyotropic Liquid Crystals. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 12315)

For further details please contact Matthew Fuchter (matthew.fuchter@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project will explore methods to use earth abundant, Lewis acidic main group catalysts to catalyse organic transformations in water by exploiting micellar confinement. The student will prepare novel micellar catalysts that leverage solvent insensitive halogen and chalcogen bonding interactions, and designer functionalized (chiral) surfactants to mediate a wide range of organic transformations relevant to pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis in water.

Useful links:
Langton research group: https://langtonrg.web.ox.ac.uk
Shimizu research group: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/people/sshimizu/
Centre for Transformation of Chemistry: https://transforming-chemistry.org/en/

For further details please contact Matthew Langton (matthew.langton@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project will develop next generation synthetic siderophores - small molecule high affinity iron receptors used by bacteria to accumulate iron. By tethering siderophores to antibiotics, the bacteria’s siderophore uptake mechanism can be exploited to facilitate improved cellular uptake, particularly into antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The student will design and synthesis novel Fe-coordinating ligands, and explore their use as antimicrobial delivery agents.

Useful links:
Langton research group: https://langtonrg.web.ox.ac.uk
Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research: https://www.ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk

For further details please contact Matthew Langton (matthew.langton@chem.ox.ac.uk)

There is significant interest in sp^3-rich heterocyclic scaffolds for medicinal chemistry due to their success in proceeding through the drug development process. In this project, a set of novel 3D bifunctional building blocks will be designed and synthesised; systematic coverage of 3D chemical space and 3D vectors will be achieved by computational analysis. The building blocks will be used in fragment elaboration and evaluated as bioisosteres of arenes/heteroarenes.

Key publications:
Opportunity Knocks: Organic Chemistry for Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD). (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 488)
Synthesis of meta-substituted arene bioisosteres from [3.1.1]propellane. (Nature, 2022, 611, 721)

For further details please contact Peter O'Brien (peter.obrien@york.ac.uk)

While naphthalene and equivalent heterobiaryl rings are often encountered in drugs, candidates and lead molecules, they can be susceptible to cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism and exhibit flat, sp2-rich structures and are almost invariably derived from fossil fuel sources, limiting their current and future utility. Yet, few viable alternatives have been described. In this project we propose to build on our preliminary findings that aryl-fused bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (aryl BCHeps) can serve as effective bioisosteric replacements for naphthalene or (iso) quinolines, and can be accessed via an unusual photosensitiser-induced mechanism and extend into other unexplored problematic heterobiaryl bioisosteres.

Useful links:
Russell research group: http://russell.chem.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Angela Russell (angela.russell@chem.ox.ac.uk )

Adhesives play a critical role in many technologies from construction, transportation, electronics to consumer goods. There are growing environmental concerns, legislation and customer pressure to deliver more sustainable adhesives and to ensure they maximise recycling of other components. Adhesives which can bond/de-bond on demand and which are degradable after use are particularly important. Here, we will develop new lower carbon footprint sustainable polymers, sourced from biomass and waste carbon dioxide, as debondable, recyclable and degradable adhesives.

Key publications:
Bio-based and Degradable Block Polyester Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 23450)
Switchable Catalysis Improves the Properties of CO₂-Derived Polymers: Poly(cyclohexene carbonate-b-ε-decalactone-b-cyclohexene carbonate) Adhesives, Elastomers, and Toughened Plastics. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 4367)

Useful links:
Williams research group: https://cwilliamsresearch.web.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Charlotte Williams (charlotte.williams@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Polymer manufacturing is already responsible for 1.6 Gt CO2 equiv. emissions annually, recent academic study reveals that replacing petrochemical raw materials with biomass, carbon dioxide and waste polymers can help to drive down these emissions enabling net zero targets. This project focusses on a technology of high promise in carbon dioxide utilization – catalytic copolymerization with heterocycles to produce oxygenated polymers.

Key publications:
Quantifying CO₂ Insertion Equilibria for Low-Pressure Propene Oxide and Carbon Dioxide Ring Opening Copolymerization Catalysts. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 10451)
Insights into the Mechanism of Carbon Dioxide and Propylene Oxide Ring-Opening Copolymerization Using a Co(III)/K(I) Heterodinuclear Catalysts. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 17929)

Useful links:
Williams research group: https://cwilliamsresearch.web.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Charlotte Williams (charlotte.williams@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Fluorine-containing molecules are essential in a wide range of applications, including in many pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This project will develop novel metal-free catalysis for the preparation of functional fluorinated molecules. Perfluoroarenes/heteroarenes will be upcycled and the fluoride liberated by this process will be utilised in tandem, enantioselective C-F bond formation reactions.

Key publications:
Metallomimetic C–F Activation Catalysis by Simple Phosphines. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 2005)
Asymmetric nucleophilic fluorination under hydrogen bonding phase-transfer catalysis. (Science 2018, 360, 638)

For further details please contact John Slattery (john.slattery@york.ac.uk)

The sustainability challenges in oligonucleotide synthesis are well known, with repeated protection, deprotection and washing steps contributing to high PMIs, and typical use of problematic solvents.¹ Further to previous successful studies in our laboratory exploring alternative solvents in solid-phase peptide synthesis² we are interested in the viability and sustainability impact of alternative solvents, protection and deprotection protocols for the growing oligonucleotide sector.

Key publications:
¹Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Oligonucleotide Manufacturing. (J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 49)
²Greener solvents for solid-phase synthesis. (Green Chem. 2017, 19, 952)

For further details please contact Helen Sneddon (helen.sneddon@york.ac.uk)

Bicyclo[n.1.1]alkanes (BCAs) have emerged as important building blocks in contemporary drug design. These bridged ring structures are usually prepared from ring-opening reactions of [n.1.1]propellanes, and additions to bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs). However, current routes to [n.1.1]propellanes rely on the use of alkyl/aryllithium reagents to effect closure of their three-membered rings, while BCB synthesis is also frequently reliant on strongly basic reaction conditions. This project seeks to address these shortcomings by developing contemporary strategies to improve the sustainability and scalability of propellane and BCB synthesis, and to apply these methods to the functionalisation of BCAs.

Key publications:
Conquering the Synthesis and Functionalization of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes. (JACS Au, 2023, 3, 1539)
Synthesis of meta-substituted arene bioisosteres from [3.1.1]propellane. (Nature, 2022, 611, 721)

For further details please contact Ed Anderson (edward.anderson@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Molecules containing stereogenic phosphorous (V) atoms are commonplace in bioactive medicines and agrochemicals ranging from: antivirals, to cardiovascular treatments, to herbicides, yet their syntheses are often challenging, specific to the target molecule, and use stoichiometric amounts of non-recyclable chiral auxiliaries. This proposal aims to develop sustainable catalytic enantioselective routes to novel chiral phosphorous (V) building blocks and demonstrate their potential downstream broad scope applicability in medicinal and agrochemical research programs.

Key publications:
Catalytic enantioselective nucleophilic desymmetrization of phosphonate esters. (Nat. Chem., 2023, 15, 714)
Second Generation Catalytic Enantioselective Nucleophilic Desymmetrization at Phosphorus (V): Improved Generality, Efficiency and Modularity. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202400673)
Bifunctional Iminophosphorane Superbase Catalysis: Applications in Organic Synthesis. (Acc. Chem. Res., 2020, 53, 2235)

For further details please contact Darren Dixon (darren.dixon@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project contains exciting opportunities for the production of complex stereochemically defined ‘3D’ heterocycles from simple, easily prepared, ‘2D’ aromatic precursors. This work will allow dearomatisation reactions to become a mainstay of synthetic organic chemistry and will provide outputs that are extremely useful to the pharmaceutical industry.

Key publications:
Evolution of the dearomative functionalization of activated quinolines and isoquinolines: Expansion of the electrophile scope. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202204682)
The reductive C3 functionalization of pyridinium and quinolinium salts through iridium-catalysed interrupted transfer hydrogenation. (Nat. Chem., 2019, 11, 242)

For further details please contact Tim Donohoe (timothy.donohoe@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Macrocyclic compounds have emerged as a promising alternative to small molecules against difficult-to-treat targets. However, challenges in their synthesis, in particular with regards to cyclisation have hindered further discovery. This project will develop efficient AI-driven approaches to design macrocycle-based inhibitors to tackle the growing threat of microbial drug resistance.

Useful links:
Duarte research group: https://www.duartegroupchem.org
Unsworth research group: https://unsworthlab.weebly.com
Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research: https://www.ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk

For further details please contact Fernanda Duarte (fernanda.duartegonzalez@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Surfactants are used in virtually every industry, and there is a high demand for biodegradable surfactants to prevent pollution and increase process efficiency. Some control over transient surfactant concentration has recently been achieved in an oscillating chemical system. This project involves learning how to control surfactant concentration using electrochemistry – and to give us the ability to turn-on or turn-off the presence of surfactants on demand.

Key publications:
Information transduction via fuel-controlled chemical waves. (Chem, 2024, 10, 1)

For further details please contact Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Asymmetric cross-coupling technologies are powerful techniques that represent the state-of-the-art in the construction of chiral small molecules. Our laboratory has developed a series of Suzuki-type reactions which use commercially available and experimentally convenient boronic acids, but these reactions currently rely on using rhodium-based catalysts. This proposal aims to develop related methods which use non-precious metal as catalysts.

Key publications:
Chelation enables selectivity control in enantioconvergent Suzuki–Miyaura cross-couplings on acyclic allylic systems. (Nat. Chem., 2024, 16, 791)
Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Suzuki and Related Cross-Coupling Reactions. (Aldrichimica ACTA, 2024, 57, 1)

For further details please contact Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@chem.ox.ac.uk)

There is increasing interest in the use of surfactants to tackle key elements of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is our hypothesis that the effectiveness of, and opportunities provided by, such agents could be dramatically improved through the incorporation of a “photoswitch” motif into the structure of the surfactant. This work will develop and study such photodynamic surfactants to pioneer a new modality to tackle AMR.

Key publications:
Light Responsiveness and Assembly of Arylazopyrazole-Based Surfactants in Neat and Mixed CTAB Micelles. (JACS Au, 2022, 2, 2670)
Light-Driven Hexagonal-to-Cubic Phase Switching in Arylazopyrazole Lyotropic Liquid Crystals. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 12315)

For further details please contact Matthew Fuchter (matthew.fuchter@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project will explore methods to use earth abundant, Lewis acidic main group catalysts to catalyse organic transformations in water by exploiting micellar confinement. The student will prepare novel micellar catalysts that leverage solvent insensitive halogen and chalcogen bonding interactions, and designer functionalized (chiral) surfactants to mediate a wide range of organic transformations relevant to pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis in water.

Useful links:
Langton research group: https://langtonrg.web.ox.ac.uk
Shimizu research group: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/people/sshimizu/
Centre for Transformation of Chemistry: https://transforming-chemistry.org/en/

For further details please contact Matthew Langton (matthew.langton@chem.ox.ac.uk)

This project will develop next generation synthetic siderophores - small molecule high affinity iron receptors used by bacteria to accumulate iron. By tethering siderophores to antibiotics, the bacteria’s siderophore uptake mechanism can be exploited to facilitate improved cellular uptake, particularly into antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The student will design and synthesis novel Fe-coordinating ligands, and explore their use as antimicrobial delivery agents.

Useful links:
Langton research group: https://langtonrg.web.ox.ac.uk
Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research: https://www.ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk

For further details please contact Matthew Langton (matthew.langton@chem.ox.ac.uk)

While naphthalene and equivalent heterobiaryl rings are often encountered in drugs, candidates and lead molecules, they can be susceptible to cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism and exhibit flat, sp2-rich structures and are almost invariably derived from fossil fuel sources, limiting their current and future utility. Yet, few viable alternatives have been described. In this project we propose to build on our preliminary findings that aryl-fused bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (aryl BCHeps) can serve as effective bioisosteric replacements for naphthalene or (iso) quinolines, and can be accessed via an unusual photosensitiser-induced mechanism and extend into other unexplored problematic heterobiaryl bioisosteres.

Useful links:
Russell research group: http://russell.chem.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Angela Russell (angela.russell@chem.ox.ac.uk )

Adhesives play a critical role in many technologies from construction, transportation, electronics to consumer goods. There are growing environmental concerns, legislation and customer pressure to deliver more sustainable adhesives and to ensure they maximise recycling of other components. Adhesives which can bond/de-bond on demand and which are degradable after use are particularly important. Here, we will develop new lower carbon footprint sustainable polymers, sourced from biomass and waste carbon dioxide, as debondable, recyclable and degradable adhesives.

Key publications:
Bio-based and Degradable Block Polyester Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 23450)
Switchable Catalysis Improves the Properties of CO₂-Derived Polymers: Poly(cyclohexene carbonate-b-ε-decalactone-b-cyclohexene carbonate) Adhesives, Elastomers, and Toughened Plastics. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 4367)

Useful links:
Williams research group: https://cwilliamsresearch.web.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Charlotte Williams (charlotte.williams@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Polymer manufacturing is already responsible for 1.6 Gt CO2 equiv. emissions annually, recent academic study reveals that replacing petrochemical raw materials with biomass, carbon dioxide and waste polymers can help to drive down these emissions enabling net zero targets. This project focusses on a technology of high promise in carbon dioxide utilization – catalytic copolymerization with heterocycles to produce oxygenated polymers.

Key publications:
Quantifying CO₂ Insertion Equilibria for Low-Pressure Propene Oxide and Carbon Dioxide Ring Opening Copolymerization Catalysts. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 10451)
Insights into the Mechanism of Carbon Dioxide and Propylene Oxide Ring-Opening Copolymerization Using a Co(III)/K(I) Heterodinuclear Catalysts. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 17929)

Useful links:
Williams research group: https://cwilliamsresearch.web.ox.ac.uk/

For further details please contact Charlotte Williams (charlotte.williams@chem.ox.ac.uk)

Modern life is impossible to imagine without polymers. However, the environmental persistence and reliance on fossil resources of most used polymers make them unsustainable. In collaboration with SCG Chemicals, this project will investigate the utilisation of abundant natural carbohydrate feedstocks to produce recyclable and degradable bio-based plastics, whose properties can compete with or complement those of polyolefins such as polyethylene, towards a circular economy of plastics with a low carbon footprint.

Key publications:
Polymers from sugars and unsaturated fatty acids: ADMET polymerisation of monomers derived from D-xylose, D-mannose and castor oil. (Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 2681)
Xylose-Based Polyethers and Polyesters Via ADMET Polymerization toward Polyethylene-Like Materials. (ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 2021, 3, 587)
Catalytic Reductive Functionalization of Tertiary Amides using Vaska’s Complex: Synthesis of Complex Tertiary Amine Building Blocks and Natural Products. (ACS Catal., 2020, 10, 8880)

Useful links:
Buchard research group: www.buchardgroup.org

For further details please contact Antoine Buchard (antoine.buchard@york.ac.uk)

There is significant interest in sp^3-rich heterocyclic scaffolds for medicinal chemistry due to their success in proceeding through the drug development process. In this project, a set of novel 3D bifunctional building blocks will be designed and synthesised; systematic coverage of 3D chemical space and 3D vectors will be achieved by computational analysis. The building blocks will be used in fragment elaboration and evaluated as bioisosteres of arenes/heteroarenes.

Key publications:
Opportunity Knocks: Organic Chemistry for Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD). (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 488)
Synthesis of meta-substituted arene bioisosteres from [3.1.1]propellane. (Nature, 2022, 611, 721)

For further details please contact Peter O'Brien (peter.obrien@york.ac.uk)

Fluorine-containing molecules are essential in a wide range of applications, including in many pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This project will develop novel metal-free catalysis for the preparation of functional fluorinated molecules. Perfluoroarenes/heteroarenes will be upcycled and the fluoride liberated by this process will be utilised in tandem, enantioselective C-F bond formation reactions.

Key publications:
Metallomimetic C–F Activation Catalysis by Simple Phosphines. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 2005)
Asymmetric nucleophilic fluorination under hydrogen bonding phase-transfer catalysis. (Science 2018, 360, 638)

For further details please contact John Slattery (john.slattery@york.ac.uk)

The sustainability challenges in oligonucleotide synthesis are well known, with repeated protection, deprotection and washing steps contributing to high PMIs, and typical use of problematic solvents.¹ Further to previous successful studies in our laboratory exploring alternative solvents in solid-phase peptide synthesis² we are interested in the viability and sustainability impact of alternative solvents, protection and deprotection protocols for the growing oligonucleotide sector.

Key publications:
¹Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Oligonucleotide Manufacturing. (J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 49)
²Greener solvents for solid-phase synthesis. (Green Chem. 2017, 19, 952)

For further details please contact Helen Sneddon (helen.sneddon@york.ac.uk)