Expanding the Organometallic Toolbox for Constructing Novel Heterocycles

The design and efficient synthesis of cyclic molecules which have a high degree of stereospecificity is an ongoing challenge for chemists; particularly when bioactivity and medicinal relevance is dependent on complex stereochemistry and substitution patterns. We will build on our recent discovery of a new cascade reaction for synthesising highly stereospecific indolene derivatives by targeting new reagents and reaction pathways for creating heterocyclic molecules which are normally difficult to access. Fundamental to this, is the synthesis and characterisation of new families of homo- and heterobimetallic complexes which allow for the development of novel cyclic molecules and scaffolds of relevance in drug discovery.