Credit: University of Münster/Gilmour Group
Researchers at the University of Münster have developed a streamlined and cost-effective method for the production of di- and trifluorinated molecules. The new method relies on inexpensive organic catalysts to create a cascading reaction to enable multiple fluorination reactions.
Despite widespread use in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, fluorine is rarely found in abundance in nature. Current methods of fluorine production require multiple purification steps that are both time-consuming and costly to perform. In the study, published in Nature Communications, the researchers presented a new alternative method that instead controls reaction conditions allowing for multiple reactions to occur sequentially. To control the reaction, an acidic medium is added to the substrate, allowing for the intermediates to be intercepted.
"Starting with our piece of paper—the cyclobutanol-derivative—an intermediate compound is produced. This compound can be processed into different products depending on the reaction conditions," says Joel Häfliger, lead author, when comparing the reaction to the art of origami.
As a proof of concept, the researchers were able to synthesize a fluorinated analog of Nagenopin, an important agent used to control low blood lipid levels. The new methods developed will certainly have extensive use in the future as a modular synthesis method for fluorinated molecules.