Organic Chemistry for Circular Economy

The research combines organic supramolecular chemistry with strong expertise in chemical analytical techniques to create and investigate functional molecules, their non-covalent complexes and self-assembled structures. Mastering molecular design, synthesis, and molecular level interactions generates fundamental knowledge for many areas of chemistry and material sciences. In addition, we aim to create new applications for bio and circular economy and welcome collaboration with the private sector to bring these ideas alive.  Our research focuses on the following research areas.

1) Anion receptors that bind carboxylate and chloride anions

Carboxylate and chloride anions are ubiquitous in nature, thus their recognition has important applications. In the research project MAREXT: Macrocyclic Receptors for Selective Anion Extraction we investigated an calix[4]pyrrole-based anion receptor that has three different binding sites and can bind anion inside or outside of the main cavity, and form ion-pair complexes with organic pyridinium and imidazolium cations. In addition, we synthesized an calix[4]pyrrole anion receptor that switches from open to closed state when the anion binds in the cavity, and remains in the kinetically stable closed state due to suitably rigid structure of the receptor. We also demonstrated that anion receptors appended with urea groups work as artificial chloride transporters, which transport anions through lipid membrane. Artificial chloride transporters are envisioned as a potential cure for impaired chloride channel mediated diseases such as cystic fibrosis, or as anticancer agents.

2) Anion binding foldamers

Foldamers are synthetic oligomers that arrange in special shapes i.e. fold into defined conformation similarly to protein folding from an amino acid chain. Instead of amino acids, composition of foldamers can vary to almost any chemical building block. We have shown that anion binding especially with fluoride and chloride arranges arylamide foldamers in a helical fold. In collaboration with Pihko group we investigate the effect of anion binding into the folding and catalytic activity of thiourea/urea foldamers that catalyse Mannich reaction between imines and malonate esters. The research project COCOA: Control of Catalyst Operation with Anions investigates anions as modulators for catalytic activity of foldamers, and conformational switching by anion binding in aqueous solvents.

3) Micelles and solid lipid nanoparticles containing supramolecular receptors

When supramolecular receptors have an amphiphilic structure (i.e.) polar and non-polar parts, they can self-assemble into micelles or form solid lipid nanoparticles. These nanoscale structures have wide range of applications in extraction and sensing, molecular transport, drug delivery, or in catalysis. We have shown that new types of supramolecular receptors such as resorcinarenes and calix[4]pyrroles can form solid lipid nanoparticles. Currently we are investigating micelles and co-micelles of calixarene-type receptors for extraction of anions and as organocatalysts in biomass valorization.

4) Bioactive compounds from wild plants and biomass

In this new project we investigate extraction methods for recovery of bioactive compounds from biomass and prepare supramolecular complexes with bioactive molecules to improve the antiviral and antibacterial efficiency of plant extracts.