Our research group is dedicated to advancing modern organic synthesis through the discovery and development of next-generation, enabling reaction platforms. The NEST research is positioned at the intersection of new reaction discovery, photo- and electro-catalysis, and continuous-flow chemistry, with a strong emphasis on translating fundamental reactivity into scalable, flow-compatible synthetic methodologies. By integrating enabling technologies with mechanistic insight, we aim to address long-standing challenges in the efficient and sustainable synthesis of value-added chemicals, complex bioactive molecules, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
A central pillar of the NEST program is the development of mechanistically programmable boron-based radical chemistry as a versatile yet underexplored platform for molecular construction. Our research emphasizes the rational design, activation, and precise mechanistic control of organoboron species across photo- and electrochemical manifolds, enabling the selective generation of alkyl- and heteroatom-centered radicals in a catalyst-efficient, operationally simple, and flow-compatible manner. By integrating programmable radical-transfer strategies with continuous-flow processing, we seek to unlock new reactivity paradigms, broaden synthetic scope, and establish practical, scalable radical methodologies directly relevant to pharmaceutical synthesis and modern molecular editing.
M. Oliva, S. Pillitteri, J. Schörgenhumer, R. Saito, E. V. Van der Eycken, U. K. Sharma* Bromine radical release from a nickel-complex facilitates the activation of alkyl boronic acids: a boron selective Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling. Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 17490-17497.
Highlighted in Organic Process Research & Development (Org. Process Res. Dev. 2025, 29, 212−224); Vapourtec News.
S. Pillitteri, P. Ranjan, G. M. Ojeda-Carralero, L. Y. Vázquez Amaya, J. E. Alfonso-Ramos, E. V. Van der Eycken, and U. K. Sharma* Merging Dual Photoredox/Cobalt Catalysis and Boronic Acid (Derivatives) Activation for the Minisci Reaction. Org. Chem. Front., 2022, 9, 6958-6967. Preprint: ChemRxiv, 2022, DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-f8z56-v2.
Highlighted in Organic Process Research & Development (Org. Process Res. Dev. 2023, 27, 383).
L. Y. Vázquez-Amaya, B. Dootselaere, G. M. Ojeda-Carralero, S. Pillitteri, E. V. Van der Eycken, U. K. Sharma* Light-driven four-component reaction with boronic acid derivatives as alkylating agents: an amine/imine mediated activation approach. Org. Lett., 2023, 25, 4010-4015. Preprint: ChemRxiv, 2023, DOI:10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-v2c44.
P. Ranjan, S. Pillitteri, G. Coppola, M. Oliva, E. V. Van der Eycken, and U. K. Sharma* Unlocking the accessibility of alkyl radicals from boronic acids through hydrogen-bond assisted organophotoredox activation. ACS Catal. 2021, 11, 10862-10870. Preprint: ChemRxiv, 2021, DOI:10.26434/chemrxiv.14575500.v1.
Many synthetically valuable transformations remain inaccessible due to challenges in the selective generation and control of highly reactive or unconventional radical precursors and intermediates, often compounded by intrinsic redox-potential constraints that limit substrate activation under mild conditions. The NEST research program addresses these barriers by developing photochemical, electrochemical, and hybrid catalytic strategies to access strained, heteroatom-centered, and transient carbon-centered radicals, thereby decoupling radical formation from prohibitive redox requirements. Our work emphasizes programmable radical transfer, strain-release activation, and potential-modulated redox manifolds that enable new bond constructions under flow-compatible and scalable conditions, ultimately expanding the chemical space accessible to modern organic synthesis.
S. Pillitteri, R. Walia, E. V. Van der Eycken, and U. K. Sharma* Hydroalkylation of styrenes enabled by boryl radical mediated halogen atom transfer. Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 8813-8819. Preprint: ChemRxiv, 2023, DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-37bvm.
A core research thrust of the NEST lab is the development of automated and data-enabled continuous-flow platforms for reaction discovery, optimization, and scale-up. We design flow-compatible photo- and electrochemical reactors integrated with in-line analytics and feedback-driven control to accelerate reaction development while improving reproducibility and safety. By combining automation, reaction intensification, and enabling catalytic modes, our goal is to transform traditionally batch-limited transformations into robust, scalable, and digitally guided synthetic processes relevant to pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing.
U. K. Sharma* Hybrid Enabling Technologies for Organic Synthesis. Chimia, 2025, 79, 424. Invited article for a special issue “Enabling R&D with Flow Chemistry and Microfluidics” Swiss Chemical Society.
L. Y. Vázquez-Amaya, G. A. Coppola, E. V. Van der Eycken, U. K. Sharma* Lab-scale flow chemistry? Just do it yourself! J. Flow Chem., 2024, 14, 257-259. Invited Emerging Investigator 2023 Issue.
L. Y. Vázquez-Amaya, M. Martinic, B. Nauwelaers, E. V. Van der Eycken, T. Markovic, U. K. Sharma* Highly modular PDMS microwave-microfluidic chip reactor for MAOS applications. React. Chem. Eng., 2024, 9, 2098-2106. Emerging Investigator Series Preprint – ChemRxiv, 2023, DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-m1x1r.
