Benjamin Gunschera

Research project

Manufacturing organic compounds is one main focus in pharmaceutical and chemical industries. With the rising threat of environmental and climate problems, we are in the duty to rethink existing production routes and develop more sustainable and environmentally benign methods to obtain molecules of interest.

To circumvent the use of heavy metals and toxic compounds, we want to advance research using iodinated organic compounds in an oxidised form. These iodonium salts are e.g. used in resin cement to bond veneers to teeth. We aim to investigate the reactivity of these compounds, which can otherwise only be achieved by organometallic complexes.

Current research investigates the properties and applications of specially designed reagents. These can be incorporated almost completely into the product, which minimizes waste formation. Our developed synthetic methods will give access to new and industrially relevant compounds in a more efficient way.