Herr Mohit Chotia

Organische Chemie

Team

https://oc-sfk.uni-wuppertal.de/de/team/detail/chotia/

Biografie

Brief biographical details:

I was born in Sikar, Rajasthan (India). I started my research career in 2017 with an interdisciplinary BS-MS Dual Degree course at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, India. In May 2022, I completed my master’s degree in chemistry while working at Prof. Biplab Maji’s lab at the university, where I worked on “Palladium-catalyzed β-C(sp³)-H biarylation using native directing groups.” Since September 2022, I have been a PhD student in the Prof. Kirsch group. I am currently working on new oxidation methodologies for C(sp³)-H bonds using solid-supported organocatalysts in a continuous-flow system, anti dihydroxylation of unactivated olefins via in situ generated peroxyacetic acid, and the defunctionalization of Ouabain.
 

Title and abstract of thesis project:

Title: New Oxidation Methods and Defunctionalization of Ouabain

Abstract: Over billions of years, evolutionary pressure has driven nature to develop highly selective enzyme-catalyzed reaction protocols that efficiently produce densely functionalized bioactive compounds in a two-step process. The first step includes combining simple precursors to construct the core structure of the molecule. Second, selective modifications of this scaffold through enzymatic oxidation to form natural products. Replicating this nature’s approach in the laboratory is highly challenging due to the lack of synthetic techniques to replicate these enzymatic reactions.

To address this challenge, we focus on developing catalytic, site-selective transformations of inert C(sp³)-H bonds to corresponding alcohols, emulating the properties of enzymatic catalysis. Selectivity will be driven by the choice of catalyst used in the reaction, i.e., mimicking enzymatic behavior.

We have developed anti dihydroxylations of unactivated olefins via in situ generated peroxyacetic acid. This green protocol enables the efficient synthesis of anti-1,2-diols without the need for hazardous solvents or expensive transition metals as catalysts.

Additionally, we aim to selectively defunctionalize the highly functionalized natural product, Ouabain, to obtain various biologically active compounds. This approach offers an alternate route for achieving these molecules quickly in fewer steps compared to traditional de novo synthesis.

Neuigkeiten

Papers already presented:

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Publications:

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Other academic activities and memberships:

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