Research

Paul Knochel’s research interests are focussed on the development of new synthetic methods for organic and heterocyclic chemistry using organometallic catalysts and reagents, the development of new reagents for asymmetric catalysis. Especially, his research focussed on the preparation of polyfunctional zinc, magnesium and copper reagents. Recently, new Mg-, Al-, Fe-, La-, Mn-, and Zn-bases have been prepared. They are powerful reagents for the regioselective metalation of functionalized aromatics and heterocycles. Applications of these new methods to natural product or biologically active compounds syntheses are performed.