Tacy – Tackling the Cyclacene Challenge
Organic synthesis has received a mature status as nowadays almost any reasonable organic molecule can be synthesized. The total synthesis of very complex natural products by organic chemists for example is pivotal for the advance in developing new medicines. Likewise, the synthesis of organic compounds used as active materials in modern technological applications is invaluable for the advance in this important area.
There are, however, molecules that have escaped successful synthesis despite considerable efforts devoted by organic chemists. A case in point are the so-called cyclacenes, an intriguing class of cyclic aromatic compounds first proposed by Heilbronner in 1954. These are the cyclic analogues of acenes, that are a very important class of molecules in present day high technology.
Our TACY research team tackles the cyclacene challenge and targets the synthesis of cyclacenes, which have so far resisted all attempts of synthesis. By combining the expertise of organic synthesis, matrix isolation, surface chemistry, and theoretical calculations, the TACY team will apply a new, synergistic approach to solving this long-standing challenge.