Dr. Josep Mas-Roselló
Research
We create small multifunctional organic molecules and investigate their ability to catalyze reactions involving the activation of inert chemical bonds. Additionally, we use experimental and computational methods to understand how these catalysts work and to predict superior molecular structures.
Motivation. The great importance of asymmetric organocatalysis was highlighted by the 2021 Chemistry Nobel Prize. However, despite the enormous advances achieved in this field, there are still significant challenges to address. Yet today, important chemical transformations involving the activation of inert bonds (e.g. hydrogenations, C─H functionalization, CO2 fixation) are predominantly powered by catalysts containing scarce and toxic metals, such as palladium or iridium. This approach is not sustainable for much longer, and more eco-friendly alternatives are urgently needed.
Impact. Developing purely organic catalysts that are able to rival metal-based counterparts in efficiency can reduce economic costs in chemical synthesis while increasing global environmental health.
Open positions
Our group is looking for motivated Master's, PhD students, and Postdocs. For informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Mas-Roselló ().
Curriculum Vitae
Publications
11. J. Mas-Roselló*, N. Cramer*. “Catalytic reduction of oximes to hydroxylamines: current methods, challenges and opportunities” Chem. Eur. J. 2022, 28, e2021036.
10. J. Mas-Roselló, C. J. Cope, E. Tan, B. Pinson, A. Robinson, T. Smejkal, N. Cramer. “Iridium‐catalyzed acid‐assisted hydrogenation of oximes to hydroxylamines” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 15524 – 15532.
9. J. Mas-Roselló, A. G. Herraiz, B. Audîc, A. Laverny, N. Cramer. “Chiral cyclopentadienyl ligands: design, syntheses and applications in asymmetric catalysis” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 60, 13198 – 13224.
8. J. Mas-Roselló, T. Smejkal, N. Cramer. “Iridium-catalyzed acid-assisted asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes to hydroxylamines” Science 2020, 368, 1098 – 1102.
7. H. Abas, J. Mas-Roselló, M. M. Amer, D. J. Durand, R. R. Groleau, N. Fey, J. Clayden. “Asymmetric and geometry-selective α-alkenylation of α-amino acids” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 2418 – 2422.
6. J. Mas-Roselló, M. Okoh, J. Clayden. “Enantioselectively functionalised phenytoin derivatives by auxiliary-directed N to C aryl migration in lithiated α-amino nitriles” Chem. Commun. 2018, 54, 10985 – 10988.
5. J. Mas-Roselló, S. Hachisu, J. Clayden. “Geometry-retentive C-alkenylation of lithiated a-aminonitriles: quaternary a-alkenyl amino acids and hydantoins” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 10750 – 10754.
4. B. P. Corbet, J. V. Matlock, J. Mas-Roselló, J. Clayden. “Intramolecular vinylation of carbanions using N-acyl benzomorpholines as masked vinylureas and vinylcarbamates” C. R. Chimie 2017, 20, 634 – 642.
3. J. Mas-Roselló, S. Staniland, N. J. Turner, J. Clayden. “Substituent effects on axial chirality in 1-aryl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines: controlling the rate of bond rotation” Tetrahedron 2016, 72, 5172 – 5177.
2. F. Fernández-Nieto, J. Mas-Roselló, S. Lenoir, S. Hardy, J. Clayden. “Palladium catalyzed C-arylation of amino acid derived hydantoins” Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 3838 – 3841.
1. R. C. Atkinson, F. Fernández-Nieto, J. Mas-Roselló, J. Clayden. “Pseudoephedrine-directed asymmetric α-arylation of α-amino acid derivatives” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 8961 – 8965.
Patents
1. T. Smejkal, N. Cramer, J. Mas-Roselló. “Enantioselective process” WO2020094528A1, 2020.