Andy Lawrence

A postdoctoral position, funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk for up to 36 months, is available to join my group @edinburghchem.bsky.social. The project focuses on biomimetic approaches to natural product synthesis.

Deadline: 28th August 2025.

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

Quinol–Enedione Rearrangement The quinol–enedione rearrangement enables the synthesis of 2-cyclohexene-1,4-diones from readily available para-quinol substrates. Building on sporadic early reports of this transformation, we have op...

I had a great pleasure to collaborate with @biomimetic-chem.bsky.social , develop and characterize a previously poorly understood reaction - quinol-enedione rearrangement. See the excellent experimental work with a small support of my DFT calculations😉 !

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Quinol–Enedione Rearrangement The quinol–enedione rearrangement enables the synthesis of 2-cyclohexene-1,4-diones from readily available para-quinol substrates. Building on sporadic early reports of this transformation, we have optimized the reaction conditions and systematically investigated its substrate scope. The utility of Brønsted acid-mediated reaction conditions for a variety of quinol derivatives, including those with substituted and unsubstituted migrating termini, is highlighted. Notably, kinetic selectivity between quinol–enedione and dienone–phenol rearrangements is demonstrated. The synthetic potential of the enedione products is showcased through a range of transformations, leading to the formation of complex polycyclic structures. These findings provide a valuable framework for recognizing and applying the quinol–enedione rearrangement in synthesis, while computational studies offer valuable insights into its mechanistic underpinnings.

The dienone–phenol rearrangement has been known for 100+ years and is a staple of undergraduate courses (migratory aptitudes!). Today we report on its lesser-known cousin: the quinol–enedione rearrangement.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Total Synthesis of Brevianamide S The first total synthesis of the alkaloid brevianamide S has been achieved in eight steps. This natural product, isolated from Aspergillus versicolor, exhibits selective antibacterial activity against...

Check out the first total synthesis of brevianamide S. Congratulations Adam and the whole team! Spoiler: We didn't follow a biomimetic approach...we opted for a more flexible three-component coupling strategy. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Just one week left to apply for both of these PhD studentships (UK applicants only) to join our group @edinburghchem.bsky.social

A postdoctoral position, funded by the Leverhulme Trust for up to 36 months, is available to join my group at the University of Edinburgh. The project focuses on biomimetic approaches to natural product synthesis.

Deadline: 18th April 2025.

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com

2 PhD studentships available (UK students only). Deadline: 4 April.

1. Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis, with @king-smithgroup.bsky.social

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

2. Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Natural Products

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Now that 2025 is here, just wanted to highlight the opening we have for an Organic Chemistry Lectureship at St Andrews again.

Applications close in about two weeks on 22nd January. All the details in the link.

www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/V2/ViewVacan...

Stereoretentive Enantioconvergent Reactions with Dr. Vera Demertzidou YouTube video by Synthesis Workshop Videos

Congratulations to Dr Vera Demertzidou on creating a fantastic Synthesis Workshop Research Spotlight video on our new approach to enantioconvergent reactions!

Originally published @naturechemistry.bsky.social: nature.com/articles/s41...

Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjE4...

Cascade ring expansion reactions for the synthesis of medium-sized rings and macrocycles This Feature Article discusses recent advances in the development of cascade ring expansion reactions for the synthesis of medium-sized rings and macrocycles. Cascade ring expansion reactions have muc...

This is really cool! Great thinking to ring expand instead of fighting the geometry
Reminds me of this innovative macrocycle work from @unsworthchem.bsky.social earlier this year

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...