We are pleased to announce the latest publication from our institute in the Journal of Organic Chemistry.

In it, Cornelius Pawlowsky presents his work under the title ‘Stereoselective Prenylation of Aryl- and Heteroaryl Halides: “γ-Selective Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling as a Tool for Asymmetric Csp²–Csp³ Cross-Coupling”’.

In this paper, he focuses on specific structural motifs, such as those found in natural products like teleocidin A or sporochnol A. These contain a quaternary stereogenic carbon centre attached to an aromatic backbone. Due to steric hindrance, the construction of such a structure poses a particular challenge in organic synthesis.

In this work, this challenging structural motif was constructed in a single step via an asymmetric, γ-selective Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl halides and allylboronic acid esters. The method offers several advantages: it utilises readily available starting materials, enables access to both stereoisomers and eliminates the need for a pre-formed stereogenic centre.

A comprehensive investigation of the scope of this cross-coupling demonstrated the method’s potential for the synthesis of complex molecular structures.

We warmly congratulate Cornelius and all those involved on this successful publication!