2020

December

Dr. José Hernández interviewed Professor Bolm (in his YouTube channel addressing Spanish-speaking students) focussing on questions of publishing, reviewing, and the future of writing manuscripts in general.

March/April

The AK Bolm participation in the PostEra initiative

On March 23 our group became aware of a research initiative called PostEra, which asked for contributions in designing inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In the list of submitted molecules that were predicted to bind to the target protein structure through computational studies, we were pleased to find a series of compounds submitted by Dr. Davide Sabbadin, which precisely fell into our field of expertise: sulfoximines. Examples can be found here and here. Consequently, we contacted Dr. Sabbadin, and a highly fruitful discussion started. In order to progress rapidly, we initiated an AK Bolm Group Challenge intended to provide effective synthetic strategies for the suggested molecules. Several students from the Bolm group participated, and selected results can be found in the following list of documents:

• Proposed synthesis of the compounds DAV-AUT-fa2-1 and DAV-AUT-fa2-2.
• Alternative proposed synthesis of the compound DAV-AUT-fa2-1.
• Proposed synthesis of compound DAV-AUT-fa2-3 and a second alternative route to obtain the compound DAV-AUT-fa2-3.
• Proposed synthesis of compound DAV-AUT-fa2-4.
• Alternative proposed synthesis of the compounds DAV-AUT-fa2-1, DAV-AUT-fa2-2 and DAV-AUT-fa2-4.
• Another alternative proposed synthesis of the compounds DAV-AUT-fa2-1, DAV-AUT-fa2-2, DAV-AUT-fa2-3 and DAV-AUT-fa2-4.
• Proposed synthesis of the compounds DAV-AUT-7eb-1, DAV-AUT-7eb-2 and DAV-AUT-7eb-4 and an alternative synthetic approach to produce the compounds DAV-AUT-7eb-2 and DAV-AUT-7eb-4.
• Incomplete synthetic approach to the compounds DAV-AUT-7eb-1,DAV-AUT-7eb2 and DAV-AUT-7eb-4.
• Proposed synthesis of compound DAV-AUT-7eb-3.
• Proposed synthesis of the compounds rac-MIK-CHE-f7b-1 and MIK-CHE-f7b-1.

2019

August

We were visited by Max Gottwald (left), who is a pupil at the “Evangelisches Gymnasium Bad Marienberg” (Westerwald). Together with Ulla Weißbach he worked in our laboratories for two weeks, continuing his successful chemistry career that he had previously demonstrated in the International Chemistry Olympiad (where he reached the third round). Apparently, he is considering becoming a chemistry student – hopefully at RWTH Aachen University. All the best to Max!

July

Florian Gröbner (right) from the Heilig-Geist-Gymnasium spent two weeks with us. Together with Victoria Pfennig (left) he experienced the “taste of organic chemistry” in our laboratories. For his future – perhaps even as a chemist – we wish him all the best!

April

Our group was visited by three pupils from Einhard-Gymnasium, Aachen: Precious Ukhuegbe, Nicol del Rocio Kohl-Yupanqui, and Patrik Jansen (in lab coats, from left to right). They stayed two weeks in our labs being supervised by Steven Terhorst (left) and Christian Schumacher (right). During that time the three performed experiments, participated in the AK Bolm group events, and visited a “Vorlesung” on their last day. We wish them all the best in their future!

January

Niklas Bernhardt, an eager pupil in 10th class from the St. Leonhard Gymnasium, Aachen, spent two weeks with us. Besides performing research in our labs, he also participated in the regular AK Bolm group events, seminars and lectures. Good luck for him in the future!

2018

June

A group of pre-school kids from the Kindergarten “In den Küpperbenden” visited the Institute of Organic Chemistry on June 7. Together with three of their tutors, the 28 kids had a short introduction into the background of organic chemistry and a guided tour in the institute. Finally, they performed experiments and watched additional ones presented by Professor Bolm.

2017

April

Julian Obst (16) from the Cornelius-Burgh-Gymnasium in Erkelenz did it again: Also in the next round of the young investigator competition (on state level at Bayer AG in Leverkusen on April 3–5) he was successful. With his project “Mechanochemie in der Ball Mill – Alternative Reaktionswege zur klassischen Synthese” he won a “Bayer Special Award” allowing him to stay at the “Bayer Science Teens Camp” entitled “Life Science und medizinische Gesundheitsfragen” in Denver, USA, for two weeks this summer. Congratulations!

March

We congratulate Julian Obst (16) from the Cornelius-Burgh-Gymnasium in Erkelenz for winning the first prize in chemistry at a young investigator competition on March 7, 2017. In his project we had studied alternative reaction pathways under mechanochemical conditions, and during the preparation phase he enjoyed scientific advice from Dr. José Hernández (Institute of Organic Chemistry). Now, he will continue in a competition on state level (at Bayer AG in Leverkusen) on April 3–5. We wish him all the best and most success!

For further information, click here.

February