Phillip Grant

Ortho–Meta and Para–Meta Isomerization of Phenols Phenols are ubiquitous structural motifs in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and agrochemicals. The substitution pattern of a given phenol has an obvious impact on its physical and biological properties. As such, synthetic approaches to positional isomerization of phenols are highly desirable, offering a way to edit molecular shape at a late stage. We present an approach to the para–meta and ortho–meta isomerization of phenols, combining oxidative dearomatization with photochemical rearrangement and reductive aromatization. This method allows the transposition of neighboring carbon atoms within the aromatic core. We enable access to challenging meta-functionalized phenols from readily available para and ortho isomers. In doing so, we edit the shape of medicinally relevant structures without altering the functionality.

Check out our group's first paper! Awesome work from the team 👏
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Works for me

A postdoctoral position, funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk for up to 36 months, is available to join my group @edinburghchem.bsky.social. The project focuses on biomimetic approaches to natural product synthesis.

Deadline: 28th August 2025.

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

End of year BBQ with the group! Thankful for their hard work. It's been a lot of fun working with them this year 🧪

Better late than never! Nice to see so many familiar faces from #chemistrytwitter again! Hello bluesky 👋