During his PhD studies, Niklas Lawaetz Østergaard developed several new synthetic methodologies. These methodologies expand the chemical toolbox — a toolbox used in the synthesis of medicines, cleaning agents, food additives, etc. Niklas’ research focused on accessing “forbidden” cycloaddition products and was mainly rooted in asymmetric organocatalysis; a field that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2021.

In a time with an increased emphasis on transitioning towards greener chemistry, the field of asymmetric organocatalysis offers an environmentally friendly way of synthesising the chemicals of today and tomorrow. Following the PhD studies of Niklas Lawaetz Østergaard, more of these green tools are now available.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Wednesday, 4^th of December at 14.15
Place: Building 1514, room 213, Aud-I, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: A [4+4] PhD: Advancing Cycloadditions to Restricted Areas by Asymmetric Aminocatalysis
Contact information: Niklas Lawaetz Østergaard, e-mail: niklas.oestergaard@gmail.com, tel.: +45 21733797
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Aitor Landa Álvarez, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad del País Vasco, Spain
Professor Mogens Brøndsted Nielsen, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Associate Professor Steen Uttrup Pedersen (chair), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Karl Anker Jørgensen, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.

The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C