ElectroCatFlow · Fluorination of Aryl Halide Compounds under Electrochemical-Flow Conditions

Fluorinated arenes are an invaluable class of organic compounds with important applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Additionally, fluorine-18 has secured its place as the important radionuclide used in positron emission tomography (PET), largely due to attractive physical and nuclear characteristics. Through the years, use of transition-metal catalysis has revolutionised the access to these challenging compounds. However reliance on expensive catalysts and ligands, elevated temperatures, extended reaction times, and limited substrate scopes remain unsatisfied. This project untitled “Fluorination of Aryl Halide Compounds under Electrochemical-Flow Conditions” or “ElectroCatFlow” aims to develop a novel method to access aryl fluorides using a transition metal-catalysed fluorination reaction of aryl halides under electrochemical-flow conditions. ElectroCatFlow is highly interdisciplinary, involves mechanistic investigations, and applications of electrochemical-flow techniques to afford a mild, efficient and inexpensive method compared to current strategies. This project will generate broad interest from academia and industry, and will lead to high impact publications including scientific papers and potential patents. Finally, ElectroCatFLow will also maintain and improve European´s excellence in fluorination, catalysis and flow chemistry by creating a synergistic collaboration between the partner and institutions. Besides, this proposal aims to significantly influence on the EU healthcare system given the relevance of fluorine based drugs have in the Society.