SYNTHESIS OF FUNCTIONAL ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

The application of the expertise of the group to the synthesis of organic and organometallic compounds with potential materials applications is focused in the following areas:

Bio-active molecules
As part of a Centre of Excellence Project involving also the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group, the Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, as well as the Molecular Endocrinology Programme of the Department of Biological Research and Biotechnology, a series of hydroxystilbenes related to the active antioxidant constituent of red wine, resveratrol, have been synthesised. These new compounds show antioxidant activity which is significantly superior to that of resveratrol. 

Nonlinear optical materials and Near Infrared dyes
A series of "push-pull" stilbene derivatives have been prepared as part of a Training and Mobility of Researchers Network Project and this work is now being further developed with the objective of preparing materials with strong near infrared absorptions (see also here). Such materials have many potential applications such as in optical recording devices, as diagnostic reagents and in photodynamic therapy. We are also examining potential extensions of this work to dendrimeric materials. 

Recent Publications
B. Paci, C. Schmidt, C. Fiorini, J.M. Nunzi, C. Arbez-Gindre, C.G. Screttas, J. Chem. Phys. 1999, 111, 7486-7492.
C. Arbez-Gindre, C.G. Screttas, C. Fiorini, C. Schmidt, J.M.Nunzi, Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 7413-7416. 
S.R. Bayly, E.R. Humphrey, H. de Chair, C.G. Paredes, Z.R. Bell, J.C. Jeffery, J.A. McCleverty, M.D. Ward, F. Totti, D. Gatteschi, S. Courric, B.R. Steele, C.G.Screttas, J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 2001, 1401-1414
P. Calaminici, K. Jug, A.M. Koster, C.Arbez-Gindre, C.G. Screttas, J. Comp. Chem. 2002, 23, 291-297. 
C. Arbez-Gindre, B.R. Steele, G.A. Heropoulos, C.G. Screttas, J.-E. Communal, W.J. Blau, I. Ledoux-Rak, J. Organomet. Chem. 2005, 690, 1620-1626

Sterically demanding aromatic compounds
A catalytic organometallic route leading to the efficient preparation of a number of sterically hindered aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, anilines and heterocycles has been developed (see here) and these products are now being investigated further as starting materials for the synthesis of Schiff base ligands for metal complexes and of lipophilic bio-active compounds (see above)

Recent Publications
B.R. Steele, C.G. Screttas, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 2391-2392
B.R. Steele, M. Micha-Screttas , C.G. Screttas, Appl. Organomet. Chem. 2002, 16, 501-505
B.R. Steele, M. Micha-Screttas, C.G. Screttas, Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45, 9537-9540. 
S.V. Amosova, N.A. Makhaeva, A.V. Martynov, V.A. Potapov, B.R. Steele, I.D. Kostas, Synthesis 2005, (in press, DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865310 )

High energy techniques
Ultrasound and microwaves are becoming increasingly important tools for the organic chemist. The group has recently initiated the use of these techniques and this expertise will be reinforced by the input from incoming post-doctoral fellows and expert labs (Prof. D. Walton, Coventry; Prof. A. Loupy, Paris; Prof. M. Bradley, Edinburgh) as part of the Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge project. "SOPHOLIDES" which has recently started.

Recent Publication
G.A. Heropoulos, S. Georgakopoulos, B.R. Steele, Tetrahedron Lett. 2005, 46, 2469-2473