2025
Biocatalytic activation of sulfur heteroaromatics facilitates dearomatizing cross-couplings to set stereogenic centres or axes
Conboy, Ó; Rushworth, E. Q.; Taylor, C. J.; Levy, C. W.; Ortmayer, M.; Whitehead, G. F. S.; Yen, A.; Romano, C.; Green, A. P.;* Procter, D. J*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c16261
Contemporary Strategies in SmI2 Catalysis: A Reagent Reborn
Mansell, J. I.; Romano, C.; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, early view, e202519678
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202519678
Transition Metal-Free Formal C-H/C-H Coupling of Arylacetamides and Sulfoxides: An Interrupted Pummerer/[2,3]-sigmatropic Rearrangement Sequence
Zhang, S.; Lou, Y. X.; Larroza, A.; Joynson, B. W.; Romano, C.; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202511703
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202511703
SmI2-Catalyzed Coupling of Alkyl Housane
Ketones and Alkenes in an Approach to Norbornanes
Roy, D.; Mansell, J. I.; Barison, G.; Yu, S.;
Katavic, R.; Romano, C.; Kaltsoyannis, N.;
Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202512018
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.202512018
Direct Activation of Sulfides by C–H oxidation with photoexcited nitroarenes: Formal Manipulation of the C–S Bond
Cuomo, V. D.; Romano, C.*; Procter, D.J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202509244
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202509244
alpha-Amido Sulfonium Salts Provide a Platform for Photocatalytic Metal-free Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation in Amides
van Dalsen, L.; Zhang, S.; Tian, W.; Joynson, B. W.; Romano, C.; Procter, D.J.*
ACS Catal. 2025, 15, 8345.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.5c02029
Light-assisted functionalisation of aryl radicals towards metal-free cross-coupling
Zhao, H.; Cuomo, V. D.; Tian, W.; Romano, C.*; Procter, D. J. *
Nat. Rev. Chem. 2025, 9, 61-81.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-024-00664-5
2024
Computational Study of SmI2-Catalyzed Intermolecular Couplings of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Alkynes: Links between Structure and Reactivity
Yu, S.; Romano, C.; Procter, D. J.; Kaltsoyannis, N.*
J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 15842-15850
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.4c01996
Computational Study of SmI2-Catalyzed Intermolecular Couplings of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Alkynes: Links between Structure and Reactivity
Yu, S.; Romano, C.; Procter, D. J.; Kaltsoyannis, N.*
J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 15842-15850
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.4c01996
Alkyl cyclopropyl ketones in catalytic formal [3+2] cycloadditions: the role of SmI2 catalyst stabilization
Mansell, J. I.; Yu, S.; Li, M.; Pye, E.; Yin, C.; Beltran, F.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Romano, C.; Kaltsoyannis, N.; Procter, D. J. *
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 12799-12807
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c03073
Alkyl cyclopropyl ketones in catalytic formal [3+2] cycloadditions: the role of SmI2 catalyst stabilization
Mansell, J. I.; Yu, S.; Li, M.; Pye, E.; Yin, C.; Beltran, F.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Romano, C.; Kaltsoyannis, N.; Procter, D. J. *
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 12799-12807
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c03073
Aryl Sulfonium Salt Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes for Halogen Atom Transfer: Isocyanides as tuneable coupling partners
Zhao, H.; Cuomo, V. D.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Procter, D. J.*
Chem. 2024, 10, 1240-1251
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2024.01.020
ChemRxiv. 2023, 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-k9mf6
Aryl Sulfonium Salt Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes for Halogen Atom Transfer: Isocyanides as tuneable coupling partners
Zhao, H.; Cuomo, V. D.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Procter, D. J.*
Chem. 2024, 10, 1240-1251
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2024.01.020
ChemRxiv. 2023, 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-k9mf6
Flavin-Mediated Photocatalysis Provides a General Platform for Sulfide C−H Functionalization
Anderton, A. S.; Knowles, O. J.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Procter, D. J.*
ACS Catal. 2024, 14, 2395-2401
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.3c05785
• Highlighted in Synfacts 2024, 20(05), 0520
Flavin-Mediated Photocatalysis Provides a General Platform for Sulfide C−H Functionalization
Anderton, A. S.; Knowles, O. J.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.; Procter, D. J.*
ACS Catal. 2024, 14, 2395-2401
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.3c05785
• Highlighted in Synfacts 2024, 20(05), 0520
A blueprint for catalysis
Romano, C.; Mansell, J. I.; Procter, D. J.*
Nat. Chem. 2024, 16, 478
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-024-01438-8
• Invited "In your element" essay
2023
Metal-Free Arylation of Benzothiophenes at C4 by Activation as their Benzothiophene S-Oxides
Bisht, R.; Popescu, M. V.; He, Z.; Ibrahim, A. M.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Paton, R. S.*; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. In. Ed. 2023, 62, e202302418
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.202302418
• Highlighted as a Hot Paper
Sulfonium salts as acceptors in electron-donor acceptor complexes
van Dalsen, L.; Brown, R. E.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.*; Procter, D.J.*
Angew. Chem. In. Ed. 2023, 62, e202303104
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.202303104
• Top Viewed Article - Jan-Dec 2023
Sulfonium salts as acceptors in electron-donor acceptor complexes
van Dalsen, L.; Brown, R. E.; Rossi-Ashton, J. A.*; Procter, D.J.*
Angew. Chem. In. Ed. 2023, 62, e202303104
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.202303104
• Top Viewed Article - Jan-Dec 2023
A catalytic alkene insertion approach to bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane bioisosteres
Agasti, S.; Beltran, F.; Pye, E.; Kaltsoyannis, N.; Crisenza, G.E.M.; Procter, D.J.*
Nat. Chem. 2023, 15, 535
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-023-01135-y
ChemRxiv. 2022 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-v93kv
• Highlighted in Organic Process Research & Development –
Org. Process Res. Dev. 2023, 27, 551
• Highlighted in Synfacts 2023, 19(05), 0472
• Highlighted in RSC Chemistry World – "Cubanes help drugs take the strain"
A general arene C–H functionalization strategy via electron donor-acceptor complex photoactivation
Dewanji, A.; van Dalsen, L.; Rossi-Ashton, J.; Gasson, E.; Crisenza, G.E.M.; Procter, D.J.*
Nat. Chem. 2023, 15, 43
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-022-01092-y
ChemRxiv. 2021 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-xbn7k
• Highlighted in Nature Chemistry, News and Views –
'Radical Arenes', Bednar, T. N.; Nagib, D. A. Nat. Chem. 2023, 15, 3.
• Highlighted in RSC Chemistry World – www.chemistryworld.com/news/photochemistry-frees-arene-functionalisation-from-metals/4016777.article
• Highlighted in C2W International, Royal Netherlands Chemical Society – www.sciencelink.net/news/sulphonium-salt-radicalises-c-h-bonds/20951.article
• Highlighted in Synfacts 2023, 19(03), 0290
• Highlighted in Org. Chem. Highlights Sept. 2023
2022
A Vitamin B2-Photocatalysed Approach toMethionine Analogues
Knowles, O. J.; Johannissen, L. O.; Crisenza, G. E. M. Hay, S.; Leys, D.; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202212158
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202212158
• Highlighted In Synfacts 2023; 19(01): 0075 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1751782
Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,2-dione: a new electron acceptor for electrochromic conjugated polymers
Vo, T. P.; Chua, M. H.; Ang, S. J.; Chin, K. L. O.; Soo, X. Y. D.; Png, Z. M.; Tam, T. L. D.; Zhu, Q.; Procter, D. J.;* Xu. J.*
Polym. Chem. 2022, 13, 6512
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/py/d2py00863g
Diastereoselective Radical 1,4-Ester Migration: Radical Cyclizations
of Acyclic Esters with SmI2
Morrill, C.; Péter, Á.; Amalina, I.; Pye, E.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Kaltsoyannis, N.; Procter, D. J.*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 13946
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.2c05972
Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (–)-Phaeocaulisin A
Peter, Á.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Procter, D. J.*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 7457
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c02188
• Highlighted In Synfacts 2022; 18(07): 0703; DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1738542
• Synfacts of the Month
• Highlighted on the Organic Chemistry Portal
Modular synthesis of unsymmetrical [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene molecular semiconductors for organic transistors
Tayu, M.; Rahmanudin, A.; Perry, G. J. P.; Khan, R. U.; Tate, D. J.; Marcial-Hernandez, R.; Shen, Y.; Dierking, I.; Janpatompong, Y.; Aphichatpanichakul, S.; Zamhuri, A.; Victoria-Yrezabal, I.; Turner, M.L.;* Procter, D. J.*
Chem. Sci. 2022, 13, 421
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/sc/d1sc05070b
2021
Inhibitors of the Bub1 spindle assembly checkpoint kinase: synthesis of BAY-320 and comparison with 2OH-BNPP1
Amalina, I.; Bennett, A.; Whalley, H.; Perera, D.; McGrail, J. C.; Tighe, A.; Procter, D. J.; Taylor, S. S.*
R. Soc. open sci. 2021, 8, 210854. 210854
http://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210854
bioRxiv 2020.07.02.184010; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.02.184010
Modular synthesis of stereodefined benzocyclobutene derivatives via sequential Cu- and Pd-catalysis
Talbot, F. J. T.; Zhang, S.; Satpathi B.; Howell, G. P.; Perry, G. J. P.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Procter, D. J.*
ACS Catal. 2021, 11, 14448,
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.1c04496
• Highlighted in Synfacts 2022; 18(02): 0171; DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1737731
SmI2-catalyzed intermolecular couplings by radical relay
Agasti, S.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Procter, D. J.*
Trends in Chemistry 2021, 3, 11, 982 (CellPress)
https://www.cell.com/trends/chemistry/abstract/S2589-5974(21)00127-1
• Invited contribution
• Mechanism of the Month – www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589597421001271?dgcid=author
Enantioselective copper-catalyzed borylative cyclization for the synthesis of quinazolinones
Dherbassy, Q.; Manna, S.; Shi, C.; Prasitwatcharakorn, W.; Crisenza, G. E. M.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 14355
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202103259
• Top Downloaded Article (Jan-Dec 2021)
Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Ketyl Radicals
Peter, Á.; Agasti, S.; Knowles, O.; Pye, E.; Procter, D. J.*
Chem. Soc. Rev. 2021, 50, 5349
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/cs/d0cs00358a
• In top 5% of highly cited articles from the Royal Society of Chemistry
SmI2-Catalyzed Intermolecular Coupling of Cyclopropyl Ketones and Alkynes:
A Link between Ketone Conformation and Reactivity
Agasti, S.; Beattie, N. A.; McDouall, J. J. W.; Procter, D. J.*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 3655
pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.1c01356
2020
Copper-catalyzed functionalization of enynes
Dherbassy, Q.; Manna, S.; Talbot, F. J. T.; Prasitwatcharakorn, W.;
Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.*
Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 11380
Single-scan selective excitation of individual NMR signals in overlapping multiplets
Kiraly, P.*, Kern, N.; Plesniak, M. P.; Nilsson, M.; Procter, D. J.; Morris, G. A.; Adams, R. W.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 60, 666
Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Couplings with C–N
electrophiles
Talbot, F. J. T.; Dherbassy, Q.; Manna, S.; Shi, C.;
Zhang, S.; Howell, G. P.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 20278
Trifluoromethyl sulfoxides: New reagents for metal-free
C–H trifluoromethylthiolation
Wang, D.; Carlton, C. G.; Tayu, M.; McDouall, J. J. W.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 15918
Para-coupling of phenols with C2/C3-substituted benzothiophene S-oxides
He, Z.; Biremond, T.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Tetrahedron 2020, 76, 131315
• Invited contribution to the Special Issue, Nuno Maulide: 2020 Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award in Organic Synthesis
Radical C–C bond formation using sulfonium salts and light
Péter, Á.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Adv. Synth. Catal. 2020, 362, 2135
• Invited contribution to the Special Issue 'Radical Chemistry and Organic Synthesis', edited by Armido Studer and Dennis Curran
• VIP paper
Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Homopropargyl Amines by Copper-Catalyzed Coupling of Imines, 1,3-Enynes, and Diborons
Manna, S.; Dherbassy, Q.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 4879
Sulfoxide-mediated oxidative cross-coupling of phenols
He, Z.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 2001
• Highlighted In Synfacts 2020, 16(05), 0529
Sulfoxide-mediated oxidative cross-coupling of phenols
He, Z.; Perry, G. J. P.; Procter, D. J.
Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 2001
• Highlighted In Synfacts 2020, 16(05), 0529
Metal-Free Photoredox-Catalyzed C–H/C–H Coupling of Arenes Enabled by Interrupted Pummerer Activation
Aukland, M. H.; Šiaučiulis, M.; West, A.; Perry, G. J. P.;
Procter, D. J.
Nature Catalysis 2020, 3, 163
ChemRxiv. 2019, preprint
doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.9158564.v1
• Highlighted in Synform – www.thieme.de/en/thieme-chemistry/synform-photoredox-catalysed-formal-C-H-C-H-coupling-of-arenes-157058.htm
Copper-Catalyzed Functionalization of 1,3-Dienes: Hydrofunctionalization, Borofunctionalization and Difunctionalization
Perry, G. J. P.; Jia, T.; Procter, D. J.
ACS Catalysis 2020, 10, 1485
Cascades, Catalysis and Chiral Ligand Control with SmI2; The Rebirth of a Reagent
Péter, Á; Procter, D. J.
Chimia 2020, 74, 018
• Invited contribution to the Special Issue marking the Swiss Chemical Society/Syngenta Symposium: Welcome to the One-electron World