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Professor Stephen Connon
Professor of Synthetic Chemistry, Chemistry

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Trujillo, C., Cronin, S.A., Connon, S.J., Mechanistic Insights into the Organocatalytic Kinetic Resolution of Oxazinones through Alcoholysis, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2022, (3), 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Smith S.N., Trujillo C., Connon S.J., Catalytic, asymmetric azidations at carbonyls: achiral and meso-anhydride desymmetrisation affords enantioenriched "-lactams, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 20, (32), 2022, p6384 - 6393, p6384-6393 Journal Article, 2022 DOI TARA - Full Text

McDonnell, C.M. and Ghanim, M. and Mike Southern, J. and Kelly, V.P. and Connon, S.J., De-novo designed β-lysine derivatives can both augment and diminish the proliferation rates of E. coli through the action of Elongation Factor P, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 59, (128545), 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI TARA - Full Text

Litvajova, M., Sorrentino, E., Twamley, B., Connon, S.J., Base-free enantioselective SN2 alkylation of 2-oxindoles via bifunctional phase-transfer catalysis, Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 17, 2021, p2287-2294 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Cronin, S.A., Connon, S.J., The kinetic resolution of oxazinones by alcoholysis: access to orthogonally protected ß-amino acids, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 19, (34), 2021, p7348-7352 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Smith, S.N., Connon, S.J., Preparation of Lactams from Cyclic Anhydrides via N-Carboxyanhydride Intermediates, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2021, (40), 2021, p5540-5544 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Delany, E.G., Connon, S.J., Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalysed intermolecular crossed benzoin condensations: Improved catalyst design and the role of in situ racemisation, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 19, (1), 2021, p248-258 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Mashael A. Alqasem, Claire Fergus, J. Mike Southern, Stephen J. Connon and Vincent P. Kelly, The eukaryotic tRNA-guanine transglycosylase enzyme inserts queuine into tRNA via a sequential bi-bi mechanism, Chemical communications, 56, 2020, p3915 - 3918 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Curran, S.P., Fallon, B.J., Connon, S.J., C2-Symmetric Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives: Versatile Catalysts for the Enantioselective C"C Bond Forming Conjugate Addition of Nucleophiles to Simple ",ß-Unsaturated Acyl Pyrazoles, ChemistrySelect, 5, (48), 2020, p15190-15194 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Smith, S.N., Craig, R., Connon, S.J., Divergent Synthesis of "-Amino Acid and "-Lactam Derivatives from meso-Glutaric Anhydrides, Chemistry - A European Journal, 26, (59), 2020, p13378-13382 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Lockett-Walters, B., Trujillo, C., Twamley, B., Connon, S., The base-catalysed Tamura cycloaddition reaction: Calculation, mechanism, isolation of intermediates and asymmetric catalysis, Chemical Communications, 55, (75), 2019, p11283-11286 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Trujillo, C., Litvajova, M., Cronin, S.A., Craig, R., Connon, S.J., The Steglich Rearrangement of 2-Oxindole Derivatives Promoted by Anion-based Nucleophilic Catalysis, ChemCatChem, 2019 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Farid, U., Aiello, M.L., Connon, S.J., Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Kinetic Resolution of "-Branched Aldehydes through Formal Cycloaddition with Homophthalic Anhydrides, Chemistry - A European Journal, 25, (43), 2019, p10074-10079 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Collar A.G, Trujillo C, Connon S.J, Highly Enantio- and Diastereoselective Catalytic Asymmetric Tamura Cycloaddition Reactions, Chemistry - A European Journal, 2019 Journal Article, 2019 URL DOI

Maguire, A.C., Kumar, V., Connon, S.J., Highly chemoselective, sterically sensitive NHC-catalysed amine acylation with pyridil, Chemical Communications, 55, (90), 2019, p13526-13529 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Collar A.G, Trujillo C, Lockett-Walters B, Twamley B, Connon S.J, Catalytic Asymmetric γ-Lactam Synthesis from Enolisable Anhydrides and Imines, Chemistry - A European Journal, 2019 Journal Article, 2019 DOI URL

Craig R, Litvajova M, Cronin S.A, Connon S.J, Enantioselective acyl-transfer catalysis by fluoride ions, Chemical Communications, 54, (72), 2018, p10108 - 10111 Journal Article, 2018 DOI URL

Roucan, M. and Kielmann, M. and Connon, S.J. and Bernhard, S.S.R. and Senge, M.O., Conformational control of nonplanar free base porphyrins: Towards bifunctional catalysts of tunable basicity, Chemical Communications, 54, (1), 2018, p26-29 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Craig, R. and Sorrentino, E. and Connon, S.J., Enantioselective Alkylation of 2-Oxindoles Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Phase-Transfer Catalyst: Synthesis of (â^')-Debromoflustramine B, Chemistry - A European Journal, 24, (18), 2018, p4528-4531 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Delany, E.G. and Connon, S.J., Highly chemoselective intermolecular cross-benzoin reactions using an: Ad hoc designed novel N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 16, (5), 2018, p780-786 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Claveau R, Twamley B, Connon S.J, Synthesis of α-alkylated γ-butyrolactones with concomitant anhydride kinetic resolution using a sulfamide-based catalyst, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 16, (41), 2018, p7574 - 7578 Journal Article, 2018 DOI URL

Aiello M.L, Farid U, Trujillo C, Twamley B, Connon S.J, Catalytic Asymmetric Cycloadditions between Aldehydes and Enolizable Anhydrides: Cis-Selective Dihydroisocoumarin Formation, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 83, (24), 2018, p15499 - 15511 Journal Article, 2018 DOI URL

Claveau, R. and Twamley, B. and Connon, S.J., Dynamic kinetic resolution of bis-aryl succinic anhydrides: Enantioselective synthesis of densely functionalised γ-butyrolactones, Chemical Communications, 54, (26), 2018, p3231-3234 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Manoni, F. and Farid, U. and Trujillo, C. and Connon, S.J., Catalytic asymmetric Tamura cycloadditions involving nitroalkenes, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 15, (6), 2017, p1463-1474 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Trujillo, C. and Rozas, I. and Botte, A. and Connon, S.J., A DFT mechanistic study of the organocatalytic asymmetric reaction of aldehydes and homophthalic anhydride, Chemical Communications, 53, (63), 2017, p8874-8877 Journal Article, 2017 TARA - Full Text DOI

Kumar, V. and Connon, S.J., Direct, efficient NHC-catalysed aldehyde oxidative amidation:: In situ formed benzils as unconventional acylating agents, Chemical Communications, 53, (73), 2017, p10212-10215 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Varghese S, Cotter M, Chevot F, Fergus C, Cunningham C, Mills KH, Connon SJ, Southern JM, Kelly VP., In vivo modification of tRNA with an artificial nucleobase leads to full disease remission in an animal model of multiple sclerosis., Nucleic Acids Research, 45, (4), 2017, p2029-2039 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Sorrentino, E., Connon, S.J., Enantioselective Alkylative Kinetic Resolution of 2-Oxindole-Derived Enolates Promoted by Bifunctional Phase Transfer Catalysts, Organic Letters, 18, (20), 2016, p5204-5207 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Cronin SA, Gutiérrez Collar A, Gundala S, Cornaggia C, Torrente E, Manoni F, Botte A, Twamley B, Connon SJ, The first catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions of imines with an enolisable anhydride., Organic & biomolecular chemistry, 14, (29), 2016, p6955-9 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Cornaggia, C., Gundala, S., Manoni, F., Gopalasetty, N., Connon, S.J., Catalytic formal cycloadditions between anhydrides and ketones: Excellent enantio and diastereocontrol, controllable decarboxylation and the formation of adjacent quaternary stereocentres, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 14, (11), 2016, p3040-3046 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Tallon, S. Manoni, F. Connon, S.J., A practical aryl unit for azlactone dynamic kinetic resolution: Orthogonally protected products and a ligation-inspired coupling process, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 54, (3), 2015, p813 - 817 Journal Article, 2015 DOI URL

Myles, L. Gathergood, N. Connon, S.J., An organocatalytic process for the hydrolytic cleavage of dithianes mediated by imidazolium ions: No harsh agents required, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2015, (1), 2015, p188 - 194 Journal Article, 2015 DOI URL

Manoni, F, Connon, SJ, Catalytic Asymmetric Tamura Cycloadditions, ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION, 53, (10), 2014, p2628-2632 Journal Article, 2014 DOI

Connon, S.J., Diaminocyclopropenylidene organocatalysts: Beyond N-heterocyclic carbenes , Angewandte Chemie - International Edition , 53, (5), 2014, p1203-1205 Journal Article, 2014 DOI

Lynam-Lennon, N., Maher, S.G., Maguire, A., (...), Reynolds, J.V., O'Sullivan, J., Altered mitochondrial function and energy metabolism is associated with a radioresistant phenotype in oesophageal adenocarcinoma, PLoS ONE , 9, (6), 2014, pe100738- Journal Article, 2014 DOI TARA - Full Text

Gundala, S, Fagan, CL, Delany, EG, Connon, SJ, Organocatalytic Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Cyclic 1,2-Diketones, SYNLETT, 24, (10), 2013, p1225-1228 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Gleeson, O, Gun'ko, YK, Connon, SJ, (S)-Proline-Derived Catalysts for the Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Alcohols: A Remote Structural Change Allows a Complete Selectivity Switch, SYNLETT, 24, (13), 2013, p1728-1734 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Kavanagh, SA, Piccinini, A, Connon, SJ, The asymmetric synthesis of terminal aziridines by methylene transfer from sulfonium ylides to imines, ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY, 11, (21), 2013, p3535-3540 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Palacio, C., Connon, S.J., C-5"-substituted cinchona alkaloid derivatives catalyse the first highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic resolutions of azlactones by thiolysis, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, (24), 2013, p5398-5413 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Delany, EG, Fagan, CL, Gundala, S, Mari, A, Broja, T, Zeitler, K, Connon, SJ, NHC-catalysed aerobic aldehyde-esterifications with alcohols: no additives or cocatalysts required, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 49, (58), 2013, p6510-6512 Journal Article, 2013 DOI TARA - Full Text

Myles, L, Gathergood, N, Connon, SJ, The catalytic versatility of low toxicity dialkyltriazolium salts: in situ modification facilitates diametrically opposed catalysis modes in one pot, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 49, (46), 2013, p5316-5318 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Gore, RG, Truong, TKT, Pour, M, Myles, L, Connon, SJ, Gathergood, N, Tandem ionic liquid antimicrobial toxicity and asymmetric catalysis study: carbonyl-ene reactions with trifluoropyruvate, GREEN CHEMISTRY, 15, (10), 2013, p2727-2739 Journal Article, 2013 TARA - Full Text DOI

Delany, E.G., Fagan, C.-L., Gundala, S., Zeitler, K., Connon, S.J., Aerobic oxidation of NHC-catalysed aldehyde esterifications with alcohols: Benzoin, not the Breslow intermediate, undergoes oxidation, Chemical Communications , 49, (58), 2013, p6513-6515 Journal Article, 2013 TARA - Full Text DOI

Myles, L, Gore, RG, Gathergood, N, Connon, SJ, A new generation of aprotic yet Bronsted acidic imidazolium salts: low toxicity, high recyclability and greatly improved activity, GREEN CHEMISTRY, 15, (10), 2013, p2740-2746 Journal Article, 2013 DOI TARA - Full Text

Gore, RG, Myles, L, Spulak, M, Beadham, I, Garcia, MT, Connon, SJ, Gathergood, N, A new generation of aprotic yet Bronsted acidic imidazolium salts: effect of ester/amide groups in the C-2, C-4 and C-5 on antimicrobial toxicity and biodegradation, GREEN CHEMISTRY, 15, (10), 2013, p2747-2760 Journal Article, 2013 TARA - Full Text DOI

Palacio, C, Connon, SJ, C-5-Substituted Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives Catalyse the First Highly Enantioselective Dynamic Kinetic Resolutions of Azlactones by Thiolysis, EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 2013, (24), 2013, p5398-5413 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Cornaggia, C., Manoni, F., Torrente, E., Tallon, S., Connon, S.J., A catalytic asymmetric reaction involving enolizable anhydrides, Organic Letters, 14, (7), 2012, p1850-1853 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Piccinini, A., Kavanagh, S.A., Connon, S, Highly enantioselective ylide-mediated synthesis of terminal epoxides, Chemical Communications , 48, (63), 2012, p7814-7816 Journal Article, 2012 TARA - Full Text URL

Quigley, C, Rodriguez-Docampo, Z, Connon, SJ, Highly tunable arylated cinchona alkaloids as bifunctional catalysts, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 48, (10), 2012, p1443-1445 Journal Article, 2012 TARA - Full Text DOI

Rodriguez-Docampo, Z., Connon, S.J., Organocatalytic Asymmetric Additions to meso-Anhydrides and Azlactones , ChemCatChem , 4, (2), 2012, p151-168 Journal Article, 2012 URL

Palacio, C, Connon, SJ, A novel C-5 ' substituted cinchona alkaloid-derived catalyst promotes additions of alkyl thiols to nitroolefins with excellent enantioselectivity, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 48, (23), 2012, p2849-2851 Journal Article, 2012 TARA - Full Text DOI

C. A. Rose, S. Gundala, C. L. Fagan, J. F. Franz, S. J. Connon* and K. Zeitler*, NHC-Catalysed, chemoselective crossed-acyloin reactions, Chemical Science, 2012, p735- Journal Article, 2012 DOI TARA - Full Text URL

Curran, SP, Connon, SJ, Selenide Ions as Catalysts for Homo- and Crossed-Tishchenko Reactions of Expanded Scope, ORGANIC LETTERS, 14, (4), 2012, p1074-1077 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Cornaggia, C, Manoni, F, Torrente, E, Tallon, S, Connon, SJ, A Catalytic Asymmetric Reaction Involving Enolizable Anhydrides, ORGANIC LETTERS, 14, (7), 2012, p1850-1853 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Curran, SP, Connon, SJ, The Thiolate-Catalyzed Intermolecular Crossed Tishchenko Reaction: Highly Chemoselective Coupling of Two Different Aromatic Aldehydes, ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION, 51, (43), 2012, p10866-10870 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Curran, S.P., Connon, S.J., The thiolate-catalyzed intermolecular crossed tishchenko reaction: Highly chemoselective coupling of two different aromatic aldehydes, Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 51, (43), 2012, p10866-10870 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Rodriguez-Docampo, Z, Quigley, C, Tallon, S, Connon, SJ, The Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Azlactones with Thiol Nucleophiles Catalyzed by Arylated, Deoxygenated Cinchona Alkaloids, JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 77, (5), 2012, p2407-2414 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Rodríguez-Docampo, Z., Quigley, C., Tallon, S., Connon, S.J., The dynamic kinetic resolution of azlactones with thiol nucleophiles catalyzed by arylated, deoxygenated cinchona alkaloids, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 77, (5), 2012, p2407-2414 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Manoni, F, Cornaggia, C, Murray, J, Tallon, S, Connon, SJ, Catalytic, enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of gamma-butyrolactones incorporating quaternary stereocentres, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 48, (52), 2012, p6502-6504 Journal Article, 2012 DOI TARA - Full Text

S. Tallon, A. C. Lawlor and S. J. Connon, Urea-catalyzed transthioesterification: towards a new kinetic resolution methodology, Arkivoc , 4, 2011, p115-126 Journal Article, 2011 URL

S. E. O'Toole, C. A. Rose, S. Gundala, K. Zeitler and S. J. Connon, Highly chemoselective direct crossed aliphatic- aromatic acyloin condensations with triazolium-derived carbene catalysts, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 76, (2), 2011, p347-357 Journal Article, 2011 TARA - Full Text

Gleeson O, Davies GL, Peschiulli A, Tekoriute R, Gun'ko YK, Connon SJ, The immobilisation of chiral organocatalysts on magnetic nanoparticles: the support particle cannot always be considered inert., Organic & biomolecular chemistry, 9, (22), 2011, p7929-40 Journal Article, 2011 TARA - Full Text DOI

C. J. O' Connor, F. Manoni, S. P. Curran and S. J. Connon, Microwave-assisted efficient thiolate-catalysed homo- and crossed intermolecular Tishchenko reactions, New Journal of Chemistry, 35, 2011, p1-3 Journal Article, 2011 TARA - Full Text

C. A. Rose, S. Gundala, K. Zeitler and S. J. Connon, Chemoselective crossed acyloin condensations: catalyst and substrate control, Synthesis , 2011, (2), 2011, p190-198 Journal Article, 2011 TARA - Full Text

C. Palacio and S. J. Connon, A new class of urea-substituted cinchona alkaloid promote highly enantioselective nitroaldol reactions of trifluoromethylketones., Organic Letters, 13, (6), 2011, p1298-1301 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

A. Peschiulli, B. Procuranti, C. J. O' Connor and S. J. Connon, Synergistic organocatalysis in the kinetic resolution of secondary thiols with concomitant desymmetrisation of an anhydride., Nature Chemistry , 2, 2010, p380-384 Journal Article, 2010 TARA - Full Text

David P. Power, Olivier Lozach, Laurent Meijer, David H. Grayson, Stephen J. Connon, Concise synthesis and CDK/GSK inhibitory activity of the missing 9-azapaullones, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 20, (16), 2010, 4940-4944 Journal Article, 2010 TARA - Full Text

Piccinini, S. A. Kavanagh, P. B. Connon and S. J. Connon, Catalytic (asymmetric) methylene transfer to aldehydes, Organic Letters, 12, (3), 2010, p608-611 Journal Article, 2010 TARA - Full Text

S. A. Kavanagh, A. Piccinini and S. J. Connon*, Efficient catalytic Corey-Chaykovsky reactions involving ketone substrates., Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 352, (11-12), 2010, p2089-2093 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

L. Myles, R. Gore, N. Gathergood and S. J. Connon, Highly recyclable, imidazolium derived ionic liquids of low antimicrobial and antifungal toxicity: A new strategy for acid catalysis, Green Chemistry, 12, 2010, p1157-1162 Journal Article, 2010 TARA - Full Text

L. Cronin, F.Manoni, C. J. O' Connor and S.J. Connon*, Tunable bromomagnesium thiolate Tishchenko reaction catalysts: efficient intermolecular aldehyde-trifluoromethylketone coupling, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49, (17), 2010, p3045-3048 Journal Article, 2010 TARA - Full Text

B. Procuranti, L. Myles, N. Gathergood and S. J.Connon* , Pyridinium ion catalysis of carbonyl protection reactions, Synthesis, 23, 2009, p4082-4086 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

A. Peschiulli, B. Procuranti and S. J. Connon, Kinetic Resolution, 2009, EP09178565.9. Patent, 2009

L. Baragwanath, C. A. Rose, K. Zeitler and S. J. Connon*, Highly enantioselective benzoin condensation reactions involving a bifunctional protic pentafluorophenyl-substituted triazolium precatalyst, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74, (23), 2009, p9214-9217 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

A. Peschiulli, L. Markey and S. J. Connon, Intermediates in the Enantioselective Synthesis of 3-(Aminomethyl)-5-Methyl-Hexanoic Acid, 2009, EP09151679.9 Patent, 2009

S. J. Connon*, The design of novel, synthetically useful (thio)urea-based organocatalysts, Synlett, 3, 2009, p354-376 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

S. E. O'Toole and S. J. Connon, The enantioselective benzoin condensation promoted by chiral triazolium precatalysts: stereochemical control via hydrogen bonding., Organic Biomolecular Chemistry, 7, (17), 2009, p3584-3593 Journal Article, 2009 TARA - Full Text

Gleeson, O., Tekoriute, R., Gun'ko, Y.K., Connon, S.J., The first magnetic nanoparticle-supported chiral dmap analogue: Highly enantioselective acylation and excellent recyclability, Chemistry - A European Journal, 15, (23), 2009, p5669-5673 Journal Article, 2009

O. Gleeson, R. Tekoriute, Y. K. Gun'ko, S. J. Connon, The First Magnetic Nanoparticle-Supported Chiral DMAP Analogue: Highly Enantioselective Acylation and Excellent Recyclability, Chemistry: A European Journal, 15, (23), 2009, p5669-5673 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

A. Peschiulli, C. Quigley, S. Tallon, Y. K. Gun'ko* and S. J. Connon*, Organocatalytic asymmetric addition of alcohols and thiols to activated electrophiles - efficient dynamic kinetic resolution and desymmetrization protocols, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 73, (16), 2008, p6409-6412 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Fleming, E.M., Quigley, C., Rozas, I., Connon, S.J. , Computational study-led organocatalyst design: A novel, highly active urea-based catalyst for addition reactions to epoxides , Journal of Organic Chemistry, 73, (3), 2008, p948-956 Journal Article, 2008 URL DOI

S. J. Connon, Asymmetric catalysis with bifunctional cinchona alkaloid-based urea and thiourea organocatalysts, Chemical Communcations, 2008, p2499-2510 Journal Article, 2008 TARA - Full Text

S. A. Kavanagh, A. Piccinini, E. M. Fleming and S. J. Connon , Urea derivatives are highly active catalysts for the base-mediated generation of terminal epoxides from aldehydes and trimethylsulfonium iodide, Organic Biomolecular Chemistry, 6, (8), 2008, p1339-1343 Journal Article, 2008 TARA - Full Text

S. J. Connon*, The catalytic asymmetric Strecker reaction - ketimines continue to join the fold, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 47, (7), 2008, p1176-1178 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Noonan, C., Baragwanath, L., Connon, S.J., Nucleophilic carbene-catalysed oxidative esterification reactions , Tetrahedron Letters, 49, (25), 2008, p4003-4006 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

A. Peschiulli, Y. Gun'ko* and S. J. Connon*, Highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso anhydrides by a bifunctional thiourea-based organocatalyst at low catalyst loadings and room temperature, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 73, (6), 2008, p2454-2457 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

B. Procuranti and S. J. Connon*, Unexpected catalysis: aprotic pyridinium ions as active and recyclable Brønsted acid catalysts in protic media', Organic Letters, 10, (21), 2008, p4935-4938 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

S. A. Kavanagh and S. J. Connon, N-Alkyl salts derived from ephedrine do not promote enantioselective Corey-Chaykovsky reactions involving sulfonium methylides under phase transfer conditions, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry , 19, (12), 2008, p1414-1417 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Connon, S.J. , Asymmetric organocatalytic reductions mediated by dihydropyridines , Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry , 5, (21), 2007, p3407-3417 Journal Article, 2007 DOI URL TARA - Full Text

Oì Daìlaigh, C., Corr, S.A., Gun'ko, Y., Connon, S.J., A magnetic-nanoparticle-supported 4-N,N-dialkylaminopyridine catalyst: Excellent reactivity combined with facile catalyst recovery and recyclability , Angewandte Chemie - International Edition , 46, (23), 2007, p4329-4332 Journal Article, 2007 DOI

Ciarán Ó Dálaigh and Stephen J. Connon, Nonenzymatic acylative kinetic resolution of Baylis-Hillman adducts, Journal of Organic Chemistry , 72, (18), 2007, p7066-7069 Journal Article, 2007 DOI URL

McCooey, S.H., Connon, S.J. , Readily accessible 9-epi-amino cinchona alkaloid derivatives promote efficient, highly enantioselective additions of aldehydes and ketones to nitroolefins , Organic Letters , 9, (4), 2007, p599-602 Journal Article, 2007 DOI URL

Procuranti, B., Connon, S.J. , A reductase-mimicking thiourea organocatalyst incorporating a covalently bound NADH analogue: Efficient 1,2-diketone reduction with in situ prosthetic group generation and recycling , Chemical Communications , 14, 2007, p1421-1423 Journal Article, 2007 DOI TARA - Full Text URL

Ciarán Ó. Dálaigh, Stephen J. Hynes, John E. O'Brien, Thomas McCabe, Declan J. Maher, Graeme W. Watson and Stephen J. Connon, Asymmetric acyl-transfer promoted by readily assembled chiral 4-N,N-dialkylaminopyridine derivatives , Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry , 4, (14), 2006, p2785-2793 Journal Article, 2006 TARA - Full Text DOI URL

Connon, S.J. , Organocatalysis mediated by (thio)urea derivatives , Chemistry - A European Journal, 12, (21), 2006, p5418-5427 Journal Article, 2006 DOI URL

Fleming, E.M., McCabe, T., Connon, S.J. , Novel axially chiral bis-arylthiourea-based organocatalysts for asymmetric Friedel-Crafts type reactions , Tetrahedron Letters , 47, (39), 2006, p7037-7042 Journal Article, 2006 DOI URL

Connon, S.J. , Chiral phosphoric acids: Powerful organocatalysts for asymmetric addition reactions to imines , Angewandte Chemie - International Edition , 45, (24), 2006, p3909-3912 Journal Article, 2006 DOI URL

Connon, S.J., Catalytic asymmetric acyl-transfer mediated by chiral pyridine derivatives, ChemInform, 37, (42), 2006, p333-338 Journal Article, 2006 URL DOI

Connon, S.J., Review of Catalytic Asymmetric Acyl-transfer Mediated by Chiral Pyridine Derivatives, by Connon, S.J. , Letters in Organic Chemistry , 3, (5), 2006, p333-338 Review, 2006 URL

McCooey, S.H. , McCabe, T. , Connon, S.J. , Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized nitrocyclopropanes via organocatalyic conjugate addition to nitroalkenes, Journal of Organic Chemistry , 71, (19), 2006, p7494-7497 Journal Article, 2006 DOI URL

S. H. McCooey and S. J. Connon, Urea- and Thiourea-Substituted Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric Addition of Malonate to Nitroalkenes: Inversion of Configuration at C9 Dramatically Improves Catalyst Performance, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 44, (39), 2005, p6367 - 6370 Journal Article, 2005 DOI URL

J. E. Murtagh, S. H. McCooey and S. J. Connon, Novel amine-catalysed hydroalkoxylation reactions of alkenes and alkynes, Chemical Communications, (2), 2005, p227 - 229 Journal Article, 2005 TARA - Full Text

C. Ó Dálaigh, S. J. Hynes, D. J. Maher and S. J. Connon, Kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols using a new class of readily assembled (S)-proline-derived 4-(pyrrolidino)-pyridine analogues, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 3, (6), 2005, p981 - 984 Journal Article, 2005 URL TARA - Full Text DOI

Faltin, C., Fleming, E.M., Connon, S.J., Acrylamide in the Baylis-Hillman reaction: Expanded reaction scope and the unexpected superiority of DABCO over more basic tertiary amine catalysts, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 69, (19), 2004, p6496-6499 Journal Article, 2004 DOI

C. Faltin, E. M. Fleming and S. J. Connon, Acrylamide in the Baylis-Hillman reaction, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 69, (19), 2004, p6496 - 6499 Journal Article, 2004 URL DOI

S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, Olefin metathesis catalysts based on ring-opening-prepared polymer-supported transition metal complexes, 2004, EP 1394190 Patent, 2004

S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, Recent advances in alkene metathesis, Topics in Organometallic Chemistry, 11, 2004, p93 - 124 Journal Article, 2004 DOI URL

S. J. Connon and A. F. Hegarty, Stabilised 2,3-pyridyne reactive intermediates of exceptional dienophilicity, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 16, 2004, p3477 - 3483 Journal Article, 2004 DOI URL

D. J. Maher and S. J. Connon, Acceleration of the DABCO-promoted Baylis-Hillman reaction using a recoverable H-bonding organocatalyst, Tetrahedron Letters, 35, (19), 2004, p1301 - 1305 Journal Article, 2004 DOI URL

Randl, S., Lucas, N., Connon, S.J., Blechert, S. , Erratum: (Advance Synthesis and Catalysis (2002) 6-7 (631-633)) , Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis , 345, (6-7), 2003, pA75 Journal Article, 2003

M. Zaja, S. J. Connon, A. M. Dunne, M. Rivard, N. Buschmann, J. Jiricek and S. Blechert, Ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts with modified styrene ethers: influence of steric and electronic effects, Tetrahedron, 59, (34), 2003, p6545 - 6558 Journal Article, 2003 DOI URL

S. J. Connon, M. Rivard, M. Zaja and S. Blechert, Practical olefin metathesis in protic media under an air atmosphere, Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, 34, (34), 2003, p572 - 575 Journal Article, 2003 URL DOI

S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, Recent developments in olefin cross metathesis, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 42, (17), 2003, p1900 - 1923 Journal Article, 2003 DOI URL

S. J. Connon, S. Blechert, and BASF AG, Novel metathesis catalysts, 2003, 03016465.1 Patent, 2003

Connon, S.J., Blechert, S. , solid-supported phosphine-free ruthenium alkylidene for olefin metathesis in methanol and water , Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters , 12, (14), 2002, p1873-1876 Journal Article, 2002 DOI URL

S. J. Connon, A. M. Dunne and S. Blechert, A self-generating and recyclable polymer-bound olefin metathesis catalyst, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 41, (20), 2002, p3835 - 3838 Journal Article, 2002 DOI URL

N. Lucas, S. Randl, S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, A mechanism switch in enyne metathesis reactions involving rearrangement: influence of heteroatoms in the propargylic position, Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, (344), 2002, p631 - 633 Journal Article, 2002 URL DOI

Connon, S.J., Dunne, A.M., Blechert, S., A self-generating, highly active, and recyclable olefin-metathesis catalyst, Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 41, (20), 2002, p3835-3838 Journal Article, 2002 DOI

Connon, S.J., Blechert, S., A solid-supported phosphine-free ruthenium alkylidene for olefin metathesis in methanol and water, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 12, (14), 2002, p1873-1876 Journal Article, 2002 DOI

S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, A polymer-supported phosphine-free ruthenium alkylidene for olefin metathesis in methanol and water, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 12, (14), 2002, p1873 - 1876 Journal Article, 2002 URL DOI

S. Randl, N. Buschmann, S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, Highly efficient and recyclable polymer-bound catalyst for olefin metathesis reactions, Synlett, 10, 2001, p1547 - 1550 Journal Article, 2001 DOI URL

S. Randl, S. J. Connon and S. Blechert, Ring-opening cross metathesis of unstrained cycloalkenes, Chemical Communications, 18, 2001, p1796 - 1797 Journal Article, 2001 URL DOI

S. J. Connon and A. F. Hegarty, Diels-Alder cycloadditions of stabilised 2,3-pyridynes, Tetrahedron Letters, 42, (4), 2001, p735 - 737 Journal Article, 2001 DOI URL

S. J. Connon and A. F. Hegarty, Substituted 3,4-pyridynes: clean cycloadditions, Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1, 1, (8), 2000, p1245 - 1249 Journal Article, 2000 DOI URL TARA - Full Text

Research Expertise

Description

The design and synthesis of novel chiral organocatalysts (and immobilised versions thereof) for asymmetric transformations. Asymmetric bifunctional organocatalysis. Synthesis of novel cyclin-dependant kinase (CDK) inhibitors. Design of novel tetracycline derivatives to combat bacterial resistance. Novel synthetic methodology, including the scope expansion of several important carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions such as the asymmetric Baylis-Hillman reaction and ketone trifluoromethylation. The design of novel fast initiating olefin metathesis catalysts.

Keywords

CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY; CATALYSIS; CYCLIN; KINASE COMPLEX; ORGANIC-SYNTHESIS; ORGANOMETALLICS; TETRACYCLINE

Recognition

Memberships

Council Member of the Instite of Chemistry of Ireland 2003 – 2005

Member of the RSC Ireland Committee 2005 – present