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Multicomponent reactions

In the laboratory of organic synthesis such a three component reaction has been described recently, and the resulting pyrrole compounds have been further transformed to fused pyrroles and fluorescing pyrrolopyrrole compounds. We want to further expand the synthetic possibilities of this reaction by adding a fourth reactive component in situ, making this a four-component reaction with even wider potential. The challenge lays in finding conditions in which the four components react in the right order with each other, combined with an easy separation technique (e.g. crystallisation). The resulting compounds will be submitted to the biological groups of the KU Leuven for several types of biological screening including an SAR study of anti-HIV activity, anticancer studies, and the investigation of their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Number of places available: 1 or 2 per semester.

Faculty Department

Faculty of Science / Department of Chemistry.

The Department of Chemistry in Leuven is involved in the organization courses of Bachelor/master of:

  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry and Biotechnology (the latter together with the department of Biology).

The Department houses a staff of about 30 professors and has 4 divisions:

  • Molecular Design and Synthesis
  • Molecular and Nanomaterials
  • Quantum Chemistry and Physical chemistry
  • Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology.
All my EuroScholars students were highly motivated and worked hard on their project together with a local mentor (Ph.D. student or postdoctoral associate). Quite often 1 or more publications resulted from their internship. Afterwards I stayed in touch with these students and learned that many of them pursued successful (academic) careers. Prof. Wim DehaenKU Leuven Read more