The project focuses on the development of a novel synthetic methodology for the
functionalization of the a-position of carbonyls ubiquitous structural motifs of organic
molecules. Depending on the choice of reagent, the functionalization will lead to the formation
of C-N or C-C bonds, yielding a- and ß-amino ketones or -keto acids with a possibility of
stereocontrol.
The hypothesis is based on the utilization of two well-established organic methodologies,
namely the Schmidt reaction and the oxidation of carbonyls by hypervalent iodine reagents.
In combination, these transformations are expected to provide facile access to valuable
structures.