A Step Change in Molecular Synthesis - EPSRC Dial a Molecule
2-3rd August 2011 - AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Central to Dial-a-Molecule is the ability to prepare molecules reliably using reaction sequences and strategies that are utterly reliable. The community has identified two approaches to date. One involves the development of many ‘perfect reactions’ which always work that can be sequenced to address any synthetic challenge. At its heart is the idea that with access to ‘1000 click reactions’ any problem in synthesis could be tackled. The approach demands the development of high yielding and robust chemistries as the constraint imposed by step-count is removed as an important criteria. The second approach is more holistic, demanding that transformations achieve more. The aim here is to identify from the outset the best method of preparing a given molecule, through the reliable generation of complexity in multiple bond forming transformations.
The ‘A Step Change in Molecular Synthesis’ theme of the EPSRC Dial-a-Molecule Grand Challenge will be running a 2-day meeting at AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK on 2-3 August 2011 focussed on how best to progress the ‘1000 Click Reactions’ and ‘Holistic Approach to Synthesis’ areas.
Topics to be discussed include:
* What constitutes a Click reaction?
* A set of criteria that a ‘Click’ reaction must fulfill
* Identification of the key bond-forming reactions needed to tackle any synthetic problem
* What are the barriers to achieving our goal and how might they be overcome?
* How can the ‘best synthesis’ of a molecule be identified?
* Can we identify short and medium term goals for the ‘Holistic Approach to Synthesis’?
* What should be included in the road map?
The meeting will involve presentations on the themes as they have developed to date. Small group sessions will be used to develop answers to the questions posed above, and to propose ways of taking them forward. The outputs from the meeting will form an important part of the Dial-a-Molecule roadmap. We also expect a strategy for achieving our goal to emerge.
Due to space issues, attendance at the meeting is restricted to ca. 40 delegates. Applications for the meeting are now invited by completing online registration here.
We particularly welcome applications from people outside the synthetic chemistry community - please circulate this advert to any colleagues within your companies or institutions who you feel may be interested. If oversubscribed successful applicants will be selected so as to maintain a balance between industry and academia, and between the various disciplines and universities represented.
The closing date for applications is Friday 15th July 2011 but we encourage you to apply early as places are limited.
Please note that although there is no registration fee for the meeting and Dial-a-Molecule will arrange and cover the costs of overnight accommodation, delegates will be responsible for their own travel expenses.
