
Professor Jonathan Clayden
MA, PhD, CChem, FRSC
Expertise
Current positions
Professor of Chemistry
School of Chemistry
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
Jonathan Clayden and his research group work on the construction of molecules with defined shapes, and are particular interested in exploring and exploiting molecular conformation.
The shape of a molecule dictates its function, and understanding conformational effects allows us to make molecules that behave in specific ways. We use the understanding we gain from conformational studies to design and synthesise molecular communication devices that transmit information to remote reactive sites, and to make conformationally-defined molecules (foldamers) that mimic biological function. We also explore new classes of atropisomers for potential use as chiral ligands.
We have also discovered that the restricted conformation of planar functional groups such as amides and ureas endue them, and their anionic (especially organolithium) derivatives, with remarkable new reactive properties which we make use of in the synthesis of valuable, potentially bioactive, target molecules.
Jonathan Clayden is the author of the widely-used textbook Organic Chemistry (Clayden, Greeves and Warren, 2nd edn. published OUP 2012)
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
PHOTOLITH
Principal Investigator
Description
We propose to develop new photochemical reactions of conjugated anions with lithium counterions (organolithiums and enolates) to construct functionalized, fused heterocyclic frameworks of use in medicinal chemistry development. N-Allyl/N-benzyllithiums tethered…Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
08/06/2021 to 07/06/2023
8083 ERC Advanced DOGMATRON J Clayden
Principal Investigator
Description
The EU-funded DOGMATRON project will develop new classes of extended dynamic molecules that respond to their environment by changing shape. They will receive, communicate, amplify, transmit and process information encoded…Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/10/2020 to 30/09/2025
MSC fellowship - Rakesh Saunthwal
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/06/2019 to 31/05/2021
Fellowship - Quentin Lefebvre
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/11/2017 to 31/10/2019
Molecular Robotics
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/11/2017 to 31/10/2023
Thesis supervisions
Stereoselective Synthesis using N-Chloroformylimidazolidinones
Supervisors
Intramolecular Conformational Communication
Supervisors
Difunctionalisation of Urea-Containing Alkenes by Radical Methods
Supervisors
Medium Ring Nitrogen Heterocycles by Migratory Ring Expansion of Metallated Ureas
Supervisors
The Photochemistry of Conjugated Enolates
Supervisors
Investigations Towards the Synthesis and Reactivity of 1,2-Bis(Boronic Esters) and its Application Towards the Total Synthesis of Bahamaolide A
Supervisors
Dynamic Molecules with Switchable Hydrogen-Bond Directionality
Supervisors
Exploration of Dynamic Exchange using Variable Field NMR
Supervisors
Developing a ‘Reverse-Biomimetic’ Synthesis of Arogenate and its Analogues using a Dearomatising Intramolecular Acylation Strategy.
Supervisors
Synthesis of medium rings through ring expansion reactions of metallated ureas containing non-aromatic anion stabilising groups
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
18/03/2024Benzo-fused Nitrogen Heterocycles by Asymmetric Ring Expansion and Stereochemically Retentive Re-contraction of Cyclic Ureas
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
Intramolecular Nucleophilic Vinylic Substitution (SNV) by Carbon Nucleophiles
Chemistry - A European Journal
Selective Defluorination of Trifluoromethyl Substituents by Conformationally Induced Remote Substitution
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation of Atropisomers
Science of Synthesis
Anion-Dependent Hydrogen-Bond Polarity Switching in Ethylene-bridged Urea Oligomers
Chemistry – A European Journal