Julian Löffler: My Next Great Impossible
Julian Löffler is a PhD student at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and is a recipient of the Bader Award for Chemistry Innovation 2024. Julian spoke to us about his work on ylide-substituted phospines (YPhos) and computer models, which could accelerate the discovery of new catalysts.
“The Next Great Impossible I’m working on is enabling computers to deeply understand and predict chemical reactions.”
The Next Great Impossible I’m working on is enabling computers to deeply understand and predict chemical reactions. My laboratory is developing a method for the rapid in silico screening of ylide -substituted phosphines (YPhos) as potential catalysts. This highly modular, easily accessible molecule is a potent ligand for several palladium and gold-catalyzed reactions. We’ve demonstrated that modeling reaction targets with the properties of ligands used in palladium-catalyzed reactionscan predict their selectivity or yield.
“…we are now developing a platform…enabling the rapid and large-scale virtual screening of ligands.”
Building on these results, we are now developing a platform to predict the selectivity and yield of ligands in catalysis, as well as their accessibility, based on their fragments alone, enabling the rapid and large-scale virtual screening of ligands.
“Our ultimate goal is to develop a platform that allows computers to analyze any YPhos catalyzed reaction…to make accurate predictions about a particular ligand.”
Our ultimate goal is to develop a platform that allows computers to analyze any YPhos catalyzed reaction, suggest the optimal set of experiments to run and use the results from these reactions to make accurate predictions about a particular ligand. This approach could dramatically reduce the amount of time and money needed for catalyst development and has the potential to transform the entire field of chemistry research.
“I believe the key mindset is one of relentless curiosity”
I believe the key mindset to achieve my Next Great Impossible is one of relentless curiosity. Curiosity pushes me to constantly question the status quo and explore uncharted territory. It encourages me to experiment and seek understanding. I am inspired by the many great scientists who were before us and changed the world to become a better place.
FAQ
Q: What kind of mindset do you need to achieve your Next Great Impossible?
A: Relentless curiosity. Curiosity pushes me to constantly question the status quo and explore uncharted territory. It encourages me to experiment and seek understanding.
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