Catalytic Deuteration and Heterocyclic Carbene Surface Chemistry
This research community develops methods to selectively replace hydrogen atoms in organic molecules with deuterium or tritium, and studies the interaction of N-heterocyclic carbenes with metal surfaces and nanoparticles. The work serves the production of deuterated pharmaceuticals, isotopically labeled compounds for research, and functionalized metal interfaces.
The community focuses on the synthesis of deuterated arenes, heteroarenes, and pharmaceuticals using catalytic hydrogen isotope exchange. Key methods include palladium- and iridium-catalyzed C-H activation, electrocatalytic reductive deuteration using heavy water, and the use of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands to stabilize gold and ruthenium nanoparticles. Recurring applications involve the late-stage modification of drug candidates and the creation of stable carbene monolayers on gold, nickel, and iron surfaces for sensing or catalytic purposes. Specific techniques include selective deuteration of heterocycles, perdeuteration of alkenes, and the functionalization of gold nanoparticles with carbene ligands to control their stability and reactivity.
The largest share of the community's output is found in hydrogen research, accounting for 0.1% of all hydrogen research, and 375 papers here. It also contributes to iridium research (0.3% share, 125 papers) and palladium research (0.1% share, 119 papers).
The community comprises 1,305 papers, published primarily in the Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals, the Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
Recent work continues to refine the scalability and selectivity of deuteration methods, including light-driven deuteration of N-heteroarenes and the synthesis of deuterated isotopomers of cyclohexene. Current research also explores the mechanical stability of N-heterocyclic carbene self-assembled monolayers on gold and the use of rhodium nanocatalysts for electrochemical perdeuteration of alkenes.