Description du sujet de thèse

The CNRS recruit will work at the Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (UMR CNRS 7285) in the superacid group of the organic synthesis team. As part of an ANR program (ChiPheQua), the Institut de Chimie de Poitiers (IC2MP UMR CNRS 7285) at the University of Poitiers (in collaboration with a research group at Aix-Marseille University) is inviting applications for a PhD position in a project to develop a new method for accessing molecules bearing enantioenriched quaternary centers, by combining organocatalysis and superacid chemistry. Despite the significant advances made recently, the development of new strategies for the enantioselective creation of quaternary stereocenters in acyclic systems is a challenge for organic synthesis. An original direction aims to study the cationic rearrangement of enantioenriched substrates easily accessible from the chiral pool or by organocatalytic transformations.
This project aims to study the rearrangement promoted under superacidic conditions of aryl-substituted enantioenriched substrates, potentially leading to optically active imines or aldehydes via a chiral phenonium intermediate.
In this context, the recruited candidate will be in charge of the design, synthesis and characterization of organic compounds and the evaluation of organic synthesis strategies to meet the challenges of this project. The candidate will be responsible for the following activities:
- Design and synthesis of enantioenriched molecules.
- Multi-step synthesis of target substrates.
- Purification and characterization of chiral derivatives (NMR, HRMS, HPLC).
- Supervision of trainees (Master I and II). - Presentation of results at consortium progress meetings.
- Preparation of reports (bibliographical and progress reports).

Candidates must hold a master's degree in organic chemistry. Candidates must :
- master organic compound synthesis
- master organic compound purification and analysis techniques
- master organic synthesis and retro-synthesis strategies
- master English
- be able to write scientific reports in French or English
- have project management skills
- have a taste for teamwork
The successful candidate must have the motivation and enthusiasm to take the project from basic research to small- and medium-scale application. He/she should be able to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team. The candidate will be inquisitive, enjoying problem-solving and the development of new technologies requiring creativity, innovation and personal initiative while respecting the constraints imposed. Interested and highly motivated candidates should send a cover letter stating why the candidate is interested in this position, a full CV (with list of publications if applicable) and 2 academic references (with address, telephone number and e-mail).

Contexte de travail

Recruited from the CNRS, the PhD student will be integrated into the Organic Synthesis team at the Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP - https://ic2mp.labo.univ-poitiers.fr/). The team's main research interests are to exploit the uniqueness of superacid chemistry. The exploitation of super-electrophilic activation under these conditions enables the development of original synthesis methods that have no equivalent in conventional organic synthesis. The direct synthesis of original compounds of high synthetic and biological value is particularly targeted. The person recruited will report to the head of the superacid group in the IC2MP organic synthesis team.

Contraintes et risques

Standard chemical hazards. The candidate will be subject to the laboratory's internal rules for all health and safety regulations. Occasional assignments in France or abroad are possible.