The Gaunt Group
LightNews LightNews
gauntgroup.bsky.social
The Gaunt Group
@gauntgroup.bsky.social
90 followers 1 following 8 posts
Synthesis. Catalysis. Biology. Technology. Research group @cambridge-uni.bsky.social. Student-run account. Formal enquiries should be directed to MJG.
Posts Replies Media Videos
gauntgroup.bsky.social
Our methodology demonstrates broad applicability across a diverse range of highly functionalised alkene substrates. It homologates terminal and internal alkenes and complex molecules like Cyclosporine A, enabling the synthesis of analogs with modified ​biological properties. (2/3)
Scheme showing a chemical reaction from Cyclosporin A to homo-Cyclosporin A. The novel one carbon homologation acts on the internal alkene in the WHO essential medicine Cyclosporin A and homologates it to give a novel analog with unexplore properties.
May 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
gauntgroup.bsky.social
Excited to share that our one-carbon alkene homologation has been published in @nature.com. 🎉 Marcus developed a simple reagent that enables the homologation of alkenes by a one-pot cross metathesis-fragmentation-retro-ene cascade giving easy access to the homologated alkene. (1/3) 🧵
Scheme showcasing and explaining the novel one-carbon alkene homologation. An (allyl)siloxymethylsulfone reagent is attached to the alkene via cross metathesis, deprotected via acid-mediated fragmentation to the sulfinic acid, and undergoes the retro-ene to deliver the homologated alkene. This reaction works across a broad scope of simple and complex alkenes, including monosubstituted, 1,1-disubstituted and 1,2-disubstituted internal alkenes.
May 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
gauntgroup.bsky.social
Check out our new work in 3° alkylamine directed #Pd catalysed C-H activation in #ACSCatalysis. Jesus shows how an amino acid ligand favours one CMD pathways to preferentially give γ-C(sp3)-H actiavtion over β-H elimination enabling us to make some strained 4° centres.

#ChemSky 🧪⚗️
A graphic showing a central chemical structure of a palladium-coordinated central N-alkyl piperidine which then undergoes either productive γ-C-H cleavage or decomposition via β-H elimination. DFT structures highlight how an N-Ac amino acid ligand favours the productive γ-C-H cleavage due to geometic restriction around the Pd-centre. Find this work at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.4c06160
December 16, 2024 at 11:38 PM
gauntgroup.bsky.social
Congratulations on Dr. Joe Phelps for passing his viva 🎉🎉!!
#ChemSky 🧪⚗️
A celebration in the Gaunt Group's lab kitchen including Matthew Gaunt and the newly graduated Dr. Joe Phelps.
November 26, 2024 at 10:37 AM