The School of Chemistry is excited to welcome you to a series of seminars hosted jointly by the Synthesis & Catalysis and Chemical & Synthetic Biology themes. Working in collaboration with the Worldwide Universities Network, each talk will be presented by a leading Brazilian academic.

Location: School of Chemistry, LT2, 11 AM - 12 PM

Prof. Dr. Eufrânio Júnior (Federal University of Minas Gerais)

Title: “It Only Takes One Idea and One Quinone: On the Application of Diverse Catalytic Methods towards Bioactive Quinoidal Compounds”

Abstract: Our group has developed practical methods for design, synthesize and optimize new heterocyclic compounds with a broad range of biological applications. In this context, we revealed the synthesis and biological evaluations (e.g. bioimaging, cellular uptake and dynamics in living cells) of new fluorescent heterocyclic compounds, which have allowed visualizing the whole endocytic pathway and selective cellular staining of lipid-based structures, that is, lipid inclusions in the cytosol. In addition, modular synthesis via organocatalysis of diverse naphthoquinones and selenium-containing quinone-based triazoles possessing two redox centres, with trypanocidal and antitumor activities were recently described by our group. This lecture will present a combination of strategies in Medicinal Chemistry and synthetic methodologies, as for instance, transition metal catalysed C–H activation reactions for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The development of reactions that produces in a single step trypanocidal naphthoquinoidal compounds will be presented, along with recently developed iodination, oxygenation, alkenylation, thiolation and selenation processes. The use of electrochemistry and nanocatalysis will also be explored in this seminar. Finally, strategies and reactions to prepare fluorescent compounds used to monitor enzymatic processes will also be briefly discussed.

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Eliezer Alberto (Federal University of Minas Gerais)

Title: "Design of Organocatalysts and Protocols for Enzymatic Inspired Transformations"

Abstract: Taking inspiration from the activity of enzymes, organochalcogen species have been designed, prepared, and evaluated for their catalytic performance in facilitating various organic reactions, including brominations and alkylations. A central objective of this research is to enhance the environmental aspects associated with these transformations, such as replacing organic solvents with aqueous solutions and utilizing less hazardous reagents.

Location: School of Biomedical Sciences, F40, 12 PM

Dr. Rubem F. S. Menna-Barreto (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz)