Department of Organic Chemistry
RESEARCH PROFILE
Scientific interests of the Department involve several research fields. The group of prof. Jacek Ścianowski deals with the synthesis of new organocatalyst and bioactive agents based on chalcogens, especially selenium. The synthetized organoselenium compounds, selenides, diselenides, selenols, benzisoselenazolones and selenonium salts, in the form of chiral terpene or aminoacid derivatives are tested as reagents and catalyst in various reaction protocols. The significant biological activity of selected compounds is associated with their antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is evaluated in cooperation with several research groups in Poland, Italy, Brasil, and USA.
The main interests of Borys Ośmiałowski, prof. NCU group is the synthesis and optimization of fluorescent dyes in the light of their photophysical properties. The aim is to develop a class of compounds useful in, inter alia, two-photon bioimaging. That is realized by the palette of methods of modification of their structure related to a) benzannulation, b) extension of the conjugation path, c) substituent effect, d) exchange of single atoms in the structure of fluorophores, e) changing the position of the heteroatom in isomeric compounds, f) change of the geometry in donor-acceptor molecules, but also by g) modification of properties in the supramolecular regime, h) tuning the topology of molecules for crystal engineering.
The team of Zbigniew Rafiński, prof. NCU is involved in the search for strategies for reaction methodology development to stand on contemporary problems in reaction discovery, and targeted synthesis. Their research interests focus on asymmetric organocatalysis with the use of chiral low-molecular organic molecules, the role of which is played by N-heterocyclic carbenes capable of catalytically acting in various stereo-differentiating reactions. Moreover, their activities include the design of new organocatalysts, and also the development of new synthetic strategies enabling the synthesis of many structurally diverse and synthetically useful chiral compounds.
The studies conducted in the group of Marek Krzemiński, prof. NCU are related to the synthesis of chiral monoterpene derivatives. The ingredients of polish turpentine from Pinus Silvestris pine, α-pinene, β-pinene, and 3-carene are compounds from which they obtain β-amino alcohols, precursors of several developed catalysts. They apply obtained derivatives in catalytic enantioselective reduction and addition reactions.
Research topics of Agnieszka Tafelska-Kaczmarek, PhD include the synthesis of various new heterocyclic compounds, mainly benzofuran and benzothiophene derivatives; asymmetric synthesis using chiral reduction catalysts; synthesis of compounds with potential biological properties.
The group of Mariusz Bosiak, PhD designs, synthesizes and studies organic fluorophores that exhibit prompt emission of light. Based on the DFT method, the group is developing new organic fluorescence emitters adjusted to TADF emitters for new electroluminescent devices based on hyperfluorescence. Synthesis of designed fluorophores is performed with the use of organic catalysts developed in the group. The target compounds show fluorescence with PLQY up to 100%.