The 11th Workshop of the Selenium and Sulfur Redox and Catalysis Network (WSeS-11) chaired by Dr. Agata Pacuła-Miszewska and Prof. Jacek Ścianowski was held in Torun, Poland, from 25 to 26 July 2024. The meeting gathered 80 participants from more than 10 countries and 4 continents. This 2-day event included plenary and invited lectures, oral presentations and a poster session. Topics regarded the utility of S- and Se-derivatives in medicine, material chemistry and modern organic synthesis. Best presentations of young researchers were awarded with four prizes: The Marcello Tiecco Award: MSc Ania Laskowska, The Nicola Petragnani Award: MSc Veronica Ceccucci, The PeerJ Awards for the Best Oral presentation: Dr. Szymon Buda and Best Poster Award: Dr. Alexsandra Pop.
Agata Pacuła-Miszewska, WSeS-11 Chair.
Alexandra Pop Lecturer at Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your research interests?
I am a Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, at Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania and a researcher within the Supramolecular Organic and Organometallic Chemistry Centre.
What first interested you in this field of research?
Starting with my doctoral studies (2008-2012), my interest was focused on organoselenium chemistry and extended after to other chalcogens like S and Te. Several organochalcogen compounds containing organic groups with one or two pendant arms with nitrogen and/or oxygen donor atoms capable by intramolecular coordination, were isolated, structurally characterized in solution and in solid state and used as ligands towards late transition metals.
Can you briefly explain the research you presented at WSeS-11?
Currently, activating in a fundamental field of research, my focus is on the synthesis, structural characterization, and investigation of the photophysical properties of some new late d metal complexes containing organochalcogen (S, Se, Te) ligands. We have prepared a library of diorganoselenium compounds incorporating 2-R-5(4H)-oxazolone (R = Me, Ph) fragments in their skeleton, capable of promoting optical properties and we have studied the coordination ability of such compounds towards group 11 and 12 metals. The results obtained so far were presented during the 11th Workshop of the Selenium and Sulfur Redox and Catalysis Network (WSeS-11), Torun, Poland.
How will you continue to build on this research?
Taking into consideration our interest into preparation of new compounds with optical properties, we are motivated to continue our research regarding the organochalcogen species containing 5(4H)-oxazolones into their skeleton.
Szymon Buda Assistant Professor at Jagiellonian University, Poland.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your research interests?
I am a chemist with a specialization in carbohydrates and their mimetics, with a particular emphasis on organoselenochemistry and electrochemistry. My academic career commenced at Jagiellonian University, where I was awarded a Ph.D. in 2013. This research established the foundation for my subsequent postdoctoral studies at Wayne State University, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with Professor David Crich. My research has consistently been inspired by an enduring fascination with the intricate yet foundational role that carbohydrates play in biological processes, and how their distinctive properties can be harnessed for diverse applications in chemistry and medicine. I currently hold the position of Assistant Professor at Jagiellonian University. The research group is focused on the study of carbohydrates and organoselenium nucleophiles. My primary objective is to develop useful, interesting, and innovative synthetic methods in organic chemistry. I consistently advise my students to maintain a sense of curiosity, pay close attention to details, and focus on their experiments. The most significant lesson I have learned is that if an unexpected phenomenon occurs during a desired reaction, it is crucial to refrain from dismissing it without thorough analysis, as it could potentially reveal something intriguing.
What first interested you in this field of research?
The synthesis of carbasugar molecule, which was a part of natural compound, was the main inspiration that aroused my interest and motivated me to do research on organoselenium compounds. After long and unsuccessful synthesis of carbasugar moiety, I decided to find new, general and efficient method of its synthesis. We found that organoselenium nucleophiles become mild, effective and selective reagents in intramolecular Michael/aldol or Michael/Michael additions. Recently, we have been exploring chalcogen chemistry and I was particularly intrigued by the challenge of developing a method that would allow the use of pure selenium, which is odorless and non-volatile, to generate an effective catalyst for the production of important natural products.
Can you briefly explain the research you presented at WSeS-11?
We have developed a rapid and highly efficient approach to the synthesis of multifunctionalized intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts using in situ generated metal chalcogenolates. This methodology provides an elegant and efficient method for the synthesis of carbasugars from natural monosaccharides. Recently, our research interests have been expanded to include intramolecular Rauhut-Currier reactions. In this context, we have developed the first catalytic tandem seleno-Michael/Michael process. The catalytic addition of 10 mol% organoselenolate has been demonstrated to provide the desired product with a yield of up to 90%. Furthermore, the combination of an organoselenium nucleophile with an optically pure BINOL has been shown to result in the formation of enantiomerically enriched products with a good enantiomeric excess and yield.
How will you continue to build on this research?
My biggest dream is to carry out chemical reactions with high atomic efficiency from simple substrates. I think organic electrochemistry can be a solution. My next goal is to perform intra- and intermolecular reactions catalyzed by nucleophilic selenium in a highly stereoselective manner with implementation of electrochemical processes.