Research within the CRC1093 Phosphoric acid based supramolecular ligands

Multivalent phosphoric acids can serve as supramolecular ligands for amino acids and amino acid side chains. We will exploit phosphoric acids based on the 1,1´-binaphthyl-backbone since this allows for a large design freedom with regard to the number of acidic centers and their spatial positioning. Next to individual ligands, we will also exploit the conjugation of phosphoric acids with nanoparticles, DNA or other binding motifs of the CRC 1093. The ligands and ligand conjugates will be tested for their specific binding to ligand hotspots and the resulting modulation of protein function.

Professional career

2014 – present	Group leader at the University of Duisburg-Essen
2011 – 2014	Head of Laboratory, Innovation Management, Evonik Industries AG
2010 – 2011	Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Oxford, England, group of Prof. Dr. Simon Aldridge
2009 - 2010	Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Münster (WWU)

Education

2005 – 2009	PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of Münster, (WWU), laboratory of Prof. Dr. Gerhard Erker
2000 – 2005	Diploma in Organic Chemistry, University of Münster (WWU)

Selected Publications

L. Shen, M. Kohlhaas, J. Enoki, R. Meier, B. Schonenberger, R. Wohlgemuth, R. Kourist, F. Niemeyer, D. van Niekerk, C. Brasen, J. Niemeyer, J. Snoep, B. Siebers: A combined experimental and modelling approach for the Weimberg pathway optimisation. 2020. Nat Commun, 11: 1098.

N. Pairault, H. Zhu, D. Jansen, A. Huber, C. G. Daniliuc, S. Grimme, J. Niemeyer: Heterobifunctional Rotaxanes for Asymmetric Catalysis. 2020. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 59: 5102-07. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201913781 (ausgewählt als Back Cover).

S. Thölke, H. Zhu, D. Jansen, F. Octa-Smolin, M. Thiele, K. Kaupmees, I. Leito, S. Grimme, J. Niemeyer: Cooperative organocatalysis: A systematic investigation of covalently linked organophosphoric acids for the stereoselective transfer hydrogenation of quinolones. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2019, 55, 5190-5195.

M. Kohlhaas, M. Zahres, C. Mayer, M. Engeser, C. Merten, J. Niemeyer: Chiral hydrogen-bonded supramolecular capsules: synthesis, characterization and complexation of C70. Chem Commun (Camb). 2019, 55: 3298-301.

F. Octa-Smolin, F. van der Vight, R. Yadav, J. Bhangu, K. Soloviova, C. Wolper, C. G. Daniliuc, C. A. Strassert, H. Somnitz, G. Jansen, J. Niemeyer: Synthesis of Furan-Annelated BINOL Derivatives: Acid-Catalyzed Cyclization Induces Partial Racemization. J Org Chem. 2018, 83: 14568-87.

F. Octa-Smolin, J. Niemeyer: Stereoselective sensing of l- and d-amino acids: Development of a fluorescence-array based on readily available chiral phosphoric acids. Chem. Eur. J. 2018, 24, 16506 – 16510 (hervorgehoben als Inside Cover).

F. Octa‑Smolin, M. Thiele, R. Yadav, A. Platzek, G. Clever, J. Niemeyer: Chiral receptors for lysine based on covalently linked bis- and tris-binaphthyl-phosphoric acids. Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 6153-6156.

R. Mitra, H. Zhu, S. Grimme, J. Niemeyer: Functional Mechanically Interlocked Molecules: Asymmetric Organocatalysis with a Catenated Bifunctional Bronsted Acid. Angew. Chem. 2017, 129, 11614-11617 Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2017, 56: 11456-59.

         (ausgewählt als Back Cover, hervorgehoben als Synfact of the month in Synfacts 2017, 13, 1085, hervorgehoben in „Trendberichte Organische Chemie 2017“ in Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 249‑280).

F. Octa-Smolin, R. Mitra, M. Thiele, C. G. Daniliuc, L. Stegemann, C. Strassert, J. Niemeyer: Rigidly Tethered Bis-phosphoric Acids: Generation of Tunable Chiral Fluorescent Frameworks and Unexpected Selectivity for the Detection of Ferric Ions. Chemistry 2017, 23: 10058-67. (hervorgehoben als Frontispiece).

R. Mitra, M. Thiele, F. Octa-Smolin, M. C. Letzel, J. Niemeyer: A bifunctional chiral [2]catenane based on 1,1'-binaphthyl-phosphates. Chem Commun (Camb). 2016, 52: 5977-80.