The Laboratory of Organic Synthesis (LSO, UMR 7652) is a joint unit between CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau, France) and ENSTA ParisTech (Palaiseau, France). Our research interests spans from the development of new methodologies, the total synthesis of natural products to the interfaces between organic chemistry and biology and are studies within two research groups
New Methods in Organic Synthesis
The New Methods in Organic Synthesis group focuses on the development of innovative methods in organic synthesis. It aims to harness powerful synthetic tools such as polar organometallic chemistry, radical processes, transition metal catalysis) to solve important and modern synthetic challenges (e.g. controlled polymerization, alkyne functionalization, stereodefined cycloadditions...). The novelty of our research design is highlighted by the controlled behaviour of highly transient intermediates. A close relationship is established with the Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Interfaces group as these newly developed strategies can be exploited to reach complex molecular structures with potential biological activities (N-heterocycles, endoperoxides...).
Three teams are working together in the thematic group:
● Cycloadditions of unusual dipoles (Alexis Archambeau)
The research focuses primarily on the development of novel transformations for the preparation of stereodefined heterocyclic compounds. We are particularly interested in original cycloadditions transformations relying on modern organotransition metal catalysis.
● Small (Metalla)cycles (Yvan Six)
The research activities mainly focused on organotitanium chemistry and on the chemistry of small cycles (cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes).
● Radical Chemistry (Samir Zard)
The research activities mainly concern the development of new synthesis methods using radical or ionic chemistry (chemistry of sulfur, nitrated, fluorinated or acetylenic derivatives). Part of the activity is also dedicated to the total synthesis of natural products and controlled polymerization.
Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Interfaces
The Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Interfaces group focuses on the synthesis of small molecules (e.g. natural products, heterocycles, ligands) with downstream biological applications (chemical biology, pharmacology, agriculture and environment). It combines expertises in multistep total synthesis including biomimetic strategies (Bastien Nay), multicomponent and heterocyclic chemistry (Laurent El Kaïm), catalysis in total synthesis (Sébastien Prévost), all amenable to the production of a large diversity of structures. It is also closely connected to the New Methods in Organic Synthesis group by the development of new methodologies for synthetic applications. Interdisciplinary interactions in the biological fields are made possible thanks to strong national and international networks and the local cutting-edge environment at Ecole Polytechnique, allowing chemical biology and biophysical approaches.
Three teams are working together in this thematic group:
● Multicomponent reactions (Laurent El Kaim)
The research activities are mainly devoted to isonitrile chemistry, multicomponent reactions and the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with high added value.
● Total Synthesis and Interfaces (Bastien Nay)
Total synthesis and related synthetic methodologies, incorporating biomimetic approaches, are developed at the biological interface. The biological potential of synthetic targets brings opportunitiesfor collaborations with biologists, biophysicists and other chemists.
● Catalysis and Natural Product Synthesis (Sébastien Prévost)
The research activities are focused on the development of new catalytic methodologies and biomimetic approaches for the synthesis of natural products.