© WWU - OC (lt)

Press Releases and short notes from the Organisch-Chemisches Institut at WWU Münster

  • 2021

    Fachbereich Chemie und Pharmazie
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    Evonik Preis 2022

    © JCF - Nils Rendel

    Timo Stünkel and Constantin Stuckhardt received this year's Evonik Award for outstanding achievements during their theses. Timo Stünkel was able to convince with his contribution to the iodine-catalyzed synthesis of trifluorinated tetralins as part of his master's thesis. Constantin Stuckhardt received the prize for the publication on photoclick reactions of acylsilanes with indoles, which he completed during his doctoral thesis.

    Münster (upm)
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    "Hand in hand in hand": three catalysts solve chemical problem

    © AG Glorius - WWU Münster

    The new method for arylation of unactivated alkenes is based on a ternary nickel(Ni)-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photodox (PC) synergy system (schematically shown in the middle). Left side: structural formula of an aryl group (top) and an unactivated alkene, right side: arylated alkene after synthesis.

    Münster (upm)
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    Three scientists from the University of Münster are "highly cited"

    © Armido Studer / Peter Dziemba

    The chemists Prof. Dr. Frank Glorius and Prof. Dr. Armido Studer of the Organisch-Chemisches Institut and the biologist Prof. Dr. Jörg Kudla from the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster are represented in the current citation ranking of the US company "Clarivate Analytics" and are thus among the most cited researchers worldwide.

    Münster (upm/kk)
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    "Academia Europaea" admits chemists from the University of Münster

    © AK Studer

    Great honour for Prof. Dr. Armido Studer: The "Academia Europaea" has accepted the chemist from the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster as a new member. The Academia Europaea awards membership to individuals who have demonstrated "sustained academic excellence".

    Münster (upm)
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    New method for molecular functionalization of surfaces

    © Dr. Hazem Aldahhak und Dr. Martin Franz

    [...] Ever smaller structures for functionalizing semiconductor materials such as silicon cannot be produced using the approaches of classical technology. Scientists have now presented a new approach in the journal Nature Chemistry: They show that stable and yet very well-ordered molecular single layers can be produced on silicon surfaces - by self-assembly. To do this, they use N-heterocyclic carbenes. [...]

    Münster (upm)
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    Lecturer Award goes to chemist at the University of Münster

    Vangemmeren
    © Gerald Fuest

    Chemist Dr. Manuel van Gemmeren [...] has received the Lecturer Award of the Chemical Industry Fund. He accepted the award, which is endowed with 75,000 euros, at a virtual conference. With his research group, the scientist has been studying so-called carbon-hydrogen (C-H) functionalizations at WWU since 2016. These are chemical reactions with which stable C-H bonds can be converted into complex target structures. [...]

    Münster (upm)
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    National Academy Leopoldina admits chemists from the University of Münster

    © WWU - Peter Dziemba

    Great honour for Prof. Dr. Frank Glorius: The chemist from the Westphalian Wilhelms University (WWU) Münster is a new member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. With this election, the oldest scientific-medical learned society in the German-speaking world honours his extraordinary scientific achievements in the field of catalysis chemistry and the development of functional molecules.

    Münster (upm/kk)
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    German Research Foundation approves new Research Training Group

    Many researchers from Münster and Nagoya will supervise the future Research Training Group.
    © WWU - AK Studer

    The University of Münster is establishing a new Research Training Group funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The bilateral doctoral program "Functional pi-Systems: Activation, Interaction and Application" will start in May and will receive funding of around five million euros for four and a half years.

    Münster (upm)
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    Researchers first to link silicon atoms on surfaces

    Chemist Dr. Henning Klaasen, physicist Lacheng Liu and chemist Melanie C. Witteler (from left) were instrumental in the study.
    © WWU - privat

    Chemist Dr. Henning Klaasen, physicist Lacheng Liu and chemist Melanie C. Witteler (from left) were instrumental in the study.
    Materials such as gallium arsenide are extremely important for the production of electronic devices. As supplies of it are limited, or they can present health and environmental hazards, specialists are looking for alternative materials. So-called conjugated polymers are candidates. These organic macromolecules have semi-conductor properties, i.e. they can conduct electricity under certain conditions. One possible way of producing them in the desired two-dimensional – i.e. extremely flat – form is presented by surface chemistry, a field of research established in 2007.

    Münster (upm/jah)
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    Ryan Gilmour elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh

    © WWU - Robert Matzke

    Prof. Dr. Ryan Gilmour from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at Münster University has been elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland´s national academy of science and letters. As one of seven personalities elected as corresponding fellows, the chemist joins the ranks of distinguished Fellows resident abroad. “This is the greatest honour of my professional career to date and I look forward to strengthening the bonds between the two countries that I call home”, says Ryan Gilmour.

    Münster (upm/kk)
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    Münster University receives two new research associations

    © WWU - Robert Matzke

    The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved two new Priority Programmes (SPP) coordinated by the University of Münster: Bioinformatician Prof Erich Bornberg-Bauer from the Institute of Evolution and Biodiversity is leading the project "Genomic Basis of Evolutionary Innovations (GEvol)", and Chemist Prof Frank Glorius from the Institute of Organic Chemistry is coordinating the project "Use and Development of Machine Learning for Molecular Applications - Molecular Machine Learning". Both programmes focus on informatics technologies in the natural sciences.
    Cf. NEWS - Highlights on the Glorius webpage

    Münster (upm)
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    Breakthrough in the production of three-dimensional molecular structures

    New dimensions in organic chemistry through light-mediated synthesis / Publication in "Science"
    Experimental setup for photochemical reactions
    © AK Glorius

    A major goal of organic and medicinal chemistry in recent decades has been the rapid synthesis of three-dimensional molecules for the development of new drugs. These drug candidates exhibit a variety of improved properties compared to predominantly flat molecular structures, which are reflected in clinical trials by higher efficacy and success rates. However, they could only be produced at great expense or not at all using previous methods. Chemists led by Prof. Frank Glorius (University of Münster) and his colleagues Prof. M. Kevin Brown (Indiana University Bloomington, USA) and Prof. Kendall N. Houk (University of California, Los Angeles, USA) have now succeeded in converting several classes of flat nitrogen-containing molecules into the desired three-dimensional structures. Using more than 100 novel examples, they were able to demonstrate the broad applicability of the process. This study has now been published in the journal “Science”.

    4. Januar 2021 | Münster (upm/jah)

    Chemists succeed in synthesis of aminoalcohols by utilizing light

    New method for generating the least accessible form of vicinal aminoalcohols / Study published in “Nature Catalysis”
    Mowpriya Das (left) and Dr. Tuhin Patra (right)
    © WWU - Glorius Group

    Whether in beta-blockers to treat high blood pressure or in natural products: So-called vicinal aminoalcohols are high-quality organic compounds that are found in many everyday products. However, their production is difficult. For a long time, chemists are trying to develop efficient methods of synthesizing them. In their recent study published in the journal Nature Catalysis, scientists led by Prof. Dr. Frank Glorius of Münster University have found a solution for the production of a special variant of aminoalcohols. "The new method helps to study the properties of the substance and to find applications for these new compounds in the future", emphasizes Frank Glorius from the Organic Chemistry Institute at Münster University.

  • 2020

    Münster (upm/kk)

    Over 20 million euros for two new research alliances

    German Research Foundation to fund new Collaborative Research Centres "inSight" and "Intelligent Matter"
    The spokesperson for the CRC “Intelligent matter: From responsive to adaptive nanosystems” is chemist Prof. Bart Jan Ravoo (left), his deputy is physicist Prof. Wolfram Pernice.
    © Melissa Pernice

    A great success for the University of Münster: the German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding two new Collaborative Research Centres (CRC). The two research alliances – entitled “inSight – Multiscale imaging of organ-specific inflammation” and “Intelligent matter: From responsive to adaptive nanosystems” – will together be receiving funding of more than 20 million euros. The projects will be starting in January 2021, running initially for four years. The new Centres are a boost two of the research focuses which the University of Münster has: “Cell Dynamics and Imaging” and “Nanosciences”. "What great news! This is an impressive success for all scientists involved in the CRC, but also for the university as a whole," emphasises Rector Prof. Johannes Wessels.

    FilmLAB Uni Münster
    © FilmLAB Uni Münster
    Münster (upm/kk)

    ERC Starting Grant for Manuel van Gemmeren

    Münster University chemist receives €1.5m in funding from the European Research Council
    © Manuel van Gemmeren

    A great distinction for a chemist from the University of Münster: the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Dr. Manuel van Gemmeren an ERC Starting Grant worth 1.5 million euros. The EU-funded research project that van Gemmeren will lead over the coming five years, belongs to the field of organic chemistry. Since 2016, the researcher and his working group at Münster University have been studying so-called C-H-functionalizations – chemical reactions by means of which C-H-bonds, which are typically non-reactive, can be converted directly into complex target structures. “Such methods are important for the development of sustainable chemical value chains, especially for the synthesis of complex organic compounds,” Manuel van Gemmeren explains. “These compounds can then be used as active agents for example in medicines,” he adds.

    Münster (upm)

    Battery Research Centre: new international research school opened

    9.5 million euros of funding from Ministry of Science for BACCARA Graduate School
    © WWU - Peter Leßmann

    Longer ranges for electric vehicles and the effective storage of electricity from renewable energies – these are research topics for the future which PhD students in Münster will be working on in a new international Graduate School. The research centre for “Battery Chemistry, Characterization, Analysis, Recycling and Application” (BACCARA for short) was officially opened on August 5 at the MEET Battery Research Centre at the University of Münster. It was set up with the participation of Münster University’s Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and the Helmholtz Institute Münster – an outstation of the Jülich Research Centre. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is providing 9.5 million euros of funding for the school over five years.
    “Promoting junior researchers will be decisive for the future success of battery research at Münster and is therefore especially important for the NRW government,” said Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen, NRW’s Minister of Culture and Science, as she presented the confirmation of funding at the MEET Battery Research Centre. “I very much hope that the BACCARA research school will be included in the CVs of many young researchers developing high-performance batteries of the future,” she added. She expressed her thanks to Prof. Martin Winter, the scientific director of the Battery Research Centre, Prof. Frank Glorius from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Münster, and the technical and commercial director of MEET, Dr. Falko Schappacher, who, she said, “have developed this project with a high degree of commitment.”

    Münster (upm/kn)

    Münster University chemist admitted to "Leopoldina" Academy

    Armido Studer is new member, joining around 1,600 scientists in the scholarly society
    © AK Studer

    A chemist at the University of Münster is awarded a great honour: the National Academy of Sciences, “Leopoldina”, recently appointed Prof. Armino Studer as a new member. In doing so, the Academy acknowledges his outstanding scientific achievements. “For me, it is a very special accolade to be part of the oldest society of scientific and medical scholars in German-speaking countries,” says Armido Studer.

    Münster (upm/sr)

    Frank Glorius receives award for catalysis science

    Expert committee selects the organic chemist of Münster University for the "2020 Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award"
    © WWU - Peter Dziemba

    For his work in the field of catalysis science, the chemist Prof. Frank Glorius from the University of Münster has received the "2020 Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award". The prize, endowed with 5 million yen (the equivalent of almost 41,000 euros), is awarded every two years to outstanding chemists under 47 years of age. This year's focus is sustainability, to highlight the social issues including plastic waste management to which the chemical industry could contribute.

    Münster (upm/sr)

    Researchers solve a long-standing problem in organic chemistry

    Chemists at the University of Münster develop a bioinspired strategy for the controlled synthesis of polyenes / Study published in "Science"
    © Ryan Gilmour

    They occur in nature, are reactive and play a role in many biological processes: polyenes. It is no wonder that chemists have for a long time been interested in efficiently constructing these compounds – not least in order to be able to use them for future biomedical applications. However, such designs are currently neither simple nor inexpensive and present organic chemists with major challenges. Scientists at the University of Münster headed by Prof. Ryan Gilmour have now found a bio-inspired solution to the problem: They succeeded in constructing complex polyenes such as retinoic acid from simple, geometrically well-defined alkene building blocks. To do this, the scientists used small molecules as "antennas" which they excited with light, thereby enabling difficult chemical reactions to proceed via a process known as “Energy Transfer Catalysis”.

    Münster (upm/bhe)
    © WWU - Brigitte Heeke
    Münster (upm/bhe)
    © WWU - Peter Leßmann
    Münster (upm)

    Activating palladium catalysis by light: teaching an old transition metal new tricks

    Chemists at Münster University develop method to produce π-allylpalladium complexes by radical chemistry / Study in “Nature Catalysis”
    © Bill Oxford/Unsplash

    In the production of compounds, chemists have the fundamental goal of finding strategies that are most selective and avoid waste products. Breakthroughs in this area serve, among other things, to drive industrial innovation and drug development. In this context, allylic substitution reactions using catalysts made of so-called transition metals have already led to significant advances in science. The catalysts cause that in a molecule a functional group is replaced by another group in allylic position, i.e. in direct proximity to a carbon-carbon double bond.

    Münster (upm)

    Chemists allow boron atoms to migrate

    Researchers at Münster University present carbon-carbon couplings in which the semi-metal boron is retained
    © Kalipada Jana

    Organic molecules with atoms of the semi-metal boron are among the most important building blocks for synthesis products that are needed to produce drugs and agricultural chemicals. However, during the usual chemical reactions used in industry, the valuable boron unit, which can replace another atom in a molecule, is often lost. Chemists at the University of Münster have now succeeded in significantly expanding the range of applications of commercially and industrially used boron compounds, so-called allylboronic esters. The study has been published in the scientific journal "Chem".

  • 2019

    © Manuel van Gemmeren

    Emmy Noether Programme: 1.7 million euros for chemist

    Dr. Manuel van Gemmeren, a chemist, convinced with his science: The German Research Foundation funds the junior scientist from the University of Münster with almost 1.7 million euros. This will enable him to set up his own research group at the Institute of Organic Chemistry over the next six years.

    Münster (upm/sr) | 06.12.2019

    Prof. Ryan Gilmour
    © privat

    Technion in Israel awards Ryan Gilmour

    Prof. Ryan Gilmour has been appointed "Prof. David Ginsburg Lecturer" at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology for the academic year 2020/21.

    Münster (upm/sr) | 29.11.2019

    Münster (upm/sr)

    International award for Frank Glorius

    Münster University organic chemist receives Gay-Lussac Humboldt Prize
    Prof. Frank Glorius
    © WWU - Peter Dziemba

    Prof. Frank Glorius, an organic chemist at the University of Münster, has been awarded the Gay-Lussac Humboldt Prize for his outstanding research and his close links to France in his work. He received the prize in Paris on 7 May. The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research awards the prize to excellent German researchers, in all disciplines, who are seen as examples of special collaboration between the two countries. Once a year, two researchers are chosen who each receive 60,000 euros for the purpose of further extending the collaborations they have.

    Münster (upm)

    "Royal Society of Chemistry" awards Armido Studer

    Pedler Award of the RSC 2019 for Outstanding Contributions in Method Development within the Field of Radical Chemistry
    Prof. Armido Studer
    © AK Studer

    International Award for Organic Chemist at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU): Prof. Dr. Armido Studer is this year's winner of the "Pedler Award", which is awarded by the British "Royal Society of Chemistry". He receives the prize for his "outstanding contribution to method development in the field of radical chemistry," the organization emphasizes. The award commemorates the British chemist Alexander Pedler and is awarded annually for important scientific contributions in organic chemistry to internationally established researchers. In addition to a medal Armido Studer receives the invitation to lecture at various universities in England.

    Münster (upm)

    Our trainees should use the opportunities they are given here

    Karin Hassels and Peter Eggert look after tomorrow’s chemical laboratory assistants

    © WWU - Peter Leßmann

    So far, instructors Karin Hassels and Peter Eggert have supervised 43 chemical lab assistants during their training.

    In addition to providing facilities for studies and research, the University of Münster offers apprenticeships and vocational training in 19 different occupations – from gardener to IT systems technician. One example of this vocational training is that for chemical laboratory assistants at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, where the two people responsible for this training are Karin Hassels (since 2009) and Peter Eggert (since 2001). Kathrin Nolte spoke with the two instructors about educational requirements and about the development away from practical working towards a greater demand for specialist knowledge.

    CHEMISTS DEVELOP NEW SYNTHESIS METHOD FOR PRODUCING FLUORINATED PIPERIDINES

    Münster University researchers publish study in "Nature Chemistry"

    © Frank Glorius

    Pressure vessel (autoclave) for the hydrogenation of fluorinated pyridines. The reactions are carried out at a hydrogen pressure of 50 bar (normal atmospheric pressure is 1 bar).

    Synthetic molecules are essential for many products in our lives: medicines, crop protection agents or special materials such as Teflon. These molecules have several components, which can be combined in a variety of ways, resulting in different properties. Both so-called piperidines and fluorinated groups are particularly important. Piperidines are small, ring-shaped chemical compounds. Since, as a result of their particular properties, fluorine atoms bring about dramatic changes in the properties of certain products –they are often integrated in pharmaceuticals. Hence around twenty percent of all medicines sold worldwide contain fluorine. Up to now, however, combining fluorine atoms and piperidines has always been an extremely laborious process. Now, for the first time, chemists at the University of Münster have developed a new, easy to do synthesis method for producing such fluorine-bearing piperidines. The study – written by Dr. Zackaria Nairoukh, Marco Wollenburg, Dr. Christoph Schlepphorst, Dr. Klaus Bergander and Prof. Frank Glorius – has just been published in the online edition of the Nature Chemistry journal.

    © AKW NRW - Andreas Endermann

    Two WWU Scientists Become Members of the Junges Kolleg

    On Tuesday evening (January 15th), the two outstanding junior scientists Manuel van Gemmeren and Raphael Wittkowski from the University of Münster have been welcomed by the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (AWK NRW) in Düsseldorf as new members of the Junges Kolleg.  (see German press release here)

    Münster (upm/ja) | 16.01.2019

  • 2018

    Prof. Bart Jan Ravoo
    © WWU - Bart Jan Ravoo

    Chemists develop new method for selective binding of proteins

    The new method has been described by a team of German and Chinese researchers headed by Prof. Bart Jan Ravoo, a chemist at the “Center for Soft Nanoscience” at the University of Münster. 

    Münster (upm) | 20.11.2018

    Ralf Adams and Frank Glorius
    © MPI Münster, J. Müller-Keuker / WWU, P. Dziemba

    "ERC Advanced Grants” for Ralf Adams and Frank Glorius

    Two “Advanced Grants” from the European Research Council (ERC) go to researchers at the University of Münster and the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Molecular Biomedicine in Münster.

    Münster (upm) | 16.04.2018

  • 2017

    Ernst - Glorius
    © Prof. Frank Glorius

    Awards for PhD student and supervisor

    PhD student Johannes Ernst and his supervisor, Prof. Frank Glorius, from the Organic Chemistry Institute will receive two awards from the International Precious Metal Institute (IPMI) in Florida in June.

    Glorius | 24.05.2017

    Studer et al., Science 2017
    © WWU - AK Studer (photo: lt)

    Radical Coupling Reaction published in Science

    Within the Science magazine the Studer Research Group has published a unique concept for the transition metal-free formation of three C-C-bonds starting from vinylboron ate complexes.

    Münster (upm/ch/lt) | 03.03.2017

  • 2016

    Armido Studer
    © Prof. Armido Studer

    Million-Euro-Funding for Chemist

    European Research Council Awards Prof. Armido Studer with an “Advanced Grant”
    (available in )

    Münster (upm) | 10.05.2016