Cortex Organics Ltd
University of Oxford

New methodology for building complex chemical molecules

Many medicines, pesticides, and chemical products rely on tertiary amines — nitrogen atoms bonded to three carbon groups. These structures, typically formed from primary or secondary amines through specific reactions, are exceptionally valuable: they appear in a large proportion of active pharmaceutical ingredients, agrochemicals, and natural products. In drug development, they are considered among the most sought-after molecular motifs.

Despite their importance, synthesising tertiary amines remains challenging. Conventional methods often involve unstable intermediates, complex multi-step sequences, and the generation of unwanted by-products.

Anna’s project seeks to overcome these limitations by developing new chemistry that transforms abundant and readily available amide functionalities directly into higher-value amine products. This innovative approach avoids the inefficiencies of protecting groups and lengthy synthetic routes, offering a more sustainable and streamlined pathway to vital molecular structures.

By enabling the direct conversion of simple feedstocks into complex, high-value amines, this work could deliver broad benefits across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals. Crucially, the method enhances efficiency while significantly reducing chemical waste, aligning with the principles of green chemistry and offering both commercial and environmental impact.

Biography
Anna completed her MChem at the University of Manchester. As part of her degree, she undertook a 12-month industrial placement at Lubrizol, working in a synthetic research laboratory. After graduating, she is pursuing her interests in synthetic organic chemistry through a DPhil at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Professor Darren Dixon. Her project is supported by a CDT/CASE award, in collaboration with Cortex Organics, whose expertise in route scouting, problem-solving, and the synthesis, purification, and characterisation of complex natural products and pharmaceutical targets directly complements her research.