Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are receiving significant attention due to their biobased origin, biodegradability, and excellent barrier properties. However, their high cost compared to traditional plastics necessitates the development of recycling technologies to retain their value post-use. Despite being the

In a collaborative effort, researchers at the University of Amsterdam and the HFML-FELIX institute in Nijmegen have been able to provide detailed insights in the molecular structure of a thiourea-based organocatalyst, as well as the precise structural changes it undergoes when binding with reactants.

Little of the mixed consumer plastics thrown away or placed in recycle bins actually ends up being recycled. Nearly 90% is buried in landfills or incinerated at commercial facilities that generate gre...

Heteroaromatic installation and peripheral modifications are the most common reactions in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the synthesis of biologically important aminonitrile-functionalized hete...

An organocatalyst containing boronic acid and phosphine oxide groups enables the coupling of carboxylic acids and amines at room temperature to achieve a sustainable route to the amide bonds present in 25% of pharmaceuticals. The reaction is compatible with a range of functional groups and heterocycles and can be used for synthesizing biological targets under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies demonstrate the binding of both substrates to the catalyst and unveil a #catalytic cycle that is distinct from other arylboronic acid catalysts.

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) was used for the synthesis of cyclic imides via an amidation–cyclization–elimination cascade. This organocatalytic transformation features both the traditional reactivity of TBD and its unprecedented C–C bond cleavage capability, allowing rapid and efficient access to cyclic imides. This method is compatible with the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules and the synthesis of bioactive molecules. Both experimental and computational approaches were employed to gain a better understanding of the reaction mechanism.

Metal-free, N-heterocyclic phosphine (NHP)-type organocatalyst provides high activity