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A Novel Preparation of Pyrroles from Nitriles and Cyclopropanes

Project ID: 1251-AL
Available for licensing

Background

The novel use of known materials to prepare pyrroles in a highly efficient and selective manner is the nature of the discovery.

Invention Description

This novel technology is a method for the synthesis of pyrroles from nitriles and cyclopropanes. Pyrroles have found applications as pharmaceuticals, biological probes, molecular receptors for anions and cations, as dyes (including fluorescent dyes), charge transfer agents, conductive materials, polymers and polymer additives, non-linear optical materials, and electroluminescent devices. The described method simplifies the preparation of some pyrrole classes which find use in many of these applications.

This method will offer access to structures that are otherwise difficult or expensive to prepare, thus facilitating the use of new pyrroles in unique ways. Furthermore, the synthetic method supported by this invention is flexible and offers access to some pyrroles that are otherwise difficult to prepare by standard methods.

Benefits

Flexible and offers access to some pyrroles that are otherwise difficult to prepare by standard methods
More efficient than existing methods of preparing specialized pyrroles
Convenient
Starting materials are readily available

Features

Absolute control over substituents at C(2), a feature of the invention that reflects the use of a nitrile precursor.
Ability to control the substituent at C(2) in a way that provides unambiguous differentiation from C(5)
Ability to introduce new functional groups not compatible with reaction conditions using current methodologies.

Market Potential/Applications

Applications include: pharmaceuticals, biological probes, molecular receptors for anions and cations, as dyes (including fluorescent dyes), charge transfer agents, conductive materials, polymers and polymer additives, non-linear optical materials, and electroluminescent devices.

IP Status

One U.S. patent issued: 7,034,163

UT Researcher

Brian L. Pagenkopf, Ph.D., Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Ming Yu, Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin

OTC Contact Information

Les Nichols, Licensing Specialist
lnichols@otc.utexas.edu
512-471-2995

Web Links

http://www.cm.utexas.edu/directory/brian_pagenkopf/
http://research.cm.utexas.edu/bpagenkopf/index.htm