Under the roof of the International Research Training Group “Catalysts and Catalytic Reactions for Organic Synthesis” (IRTG 1038) six research groups from the Faculty of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Earth Sciences of the University of Freiburg i. Br. and five research groups from the Department of Chemistry of the University of Basel will combine their research and teaching activities in the field of catalysts and catalytic reactions for organic synthesis. Intensive bilateral collaboration will be ensured by the formation of joint research projects. The scientific research program encompasses all important areas of catalytic organic synthesis, such as catalyst development including combinatorial methods employing self-assembly catalysts, peptide-based organocatalysts and mass spectrometric catalyst screening, enzyme catalysis, catalytic reaction cascade development, asymmetric catalysts based on DNA templates, position-selective cross-coupling of multifunctional building blocks, and application to total synthesis of biologically relevant target molecules. Furthermore, theoretical and experimental methods will be implemented in order to get a deeper understanding of new catalyst systems and the mechanism of catalytic reactions.

The International Research Training Group will provide the students with a vibrant research atmosphere and with a qualification program to develop a thorough knowledge of catalysts and catalytic reactions and their application to organic synthesis. The incorporation of industrial experts in the qualification program will ensure practical relevance and will demonstrate the importance of catalysts and catalytic reactions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.