The URV collaborates with an international team from the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The research findings have been published in the journal Science

An international research team has created a new technology that could revolutionize the production of key compounds in medicine and agriculture. This method involves the addition of a trifluoromethyl group (CF3) combined with oxygen, sulphur, and nitrogen to various molecules, thus enhancing the efficacy of medicines and pesticides. The study has involved Miguel Bernús and Omar Boutureira from the URV’s SintCat research group in the Department of Analytical and Organic Chemistry, alongside researchers from the Netherlands, Italy, and the UK, and their research findings have been published in Science.

The trifluoromethyl group is a highly valuable set of atoms that increases the stability and performance of many chemical compounds, thus increasing their effectiveness at smaller doses. This characteristic is crucial for the development of pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants and for creating more efficient pesticides. Unlike other fluorinated compounds harmful to the environment, the method used in this study combines CF3 with oxygen, sulphur, and nitrogen to prevent degradation issues, thus making it more sustainable.

A key innovation of this method is that it doesn’t use perfluorinated substances (PFAS), which are known for their environmental persistence and contaminating potential. Instead, the process uses caesium fluoride, a safer and more accessible mineral salt, which achieves similar results without the risks associated with PFAS.

The team used flow chemistry, where reactions occur in closed systems of small tubes, allowing greater control, efficiency, and safety. In this method, chemical precursors pass through a reactor containing caesium fluoride, where they undergo fluorination to produce the desired compounds quickly and safely.

The research demonstrates that the technology is viable in both academic and industrial contexts, yielding promising results in the efficiency and performance of the produced compounds. This breakthrough could significantly advance the sustainable production of high-value chemicals with reduced environmental impact.

“These findings open new avenues for manufacturing high-value chemical compounds, offering a greener and safer solution for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. It’s a crucial step toward a more sustainable future,” remarked Miguel Bernús, one of the URV researchers involved.

The research continues as the team explores broader applications of this technology, their aim being to scale up the technology in order to improve quality of life while respecting the environment.

Reference Spennacchio, M., Bernús, M., Stanić, J., Mazzarella, D., Colella, M., Douglas, J. J., Boutureira, O., & Noël, T. (2024). A Unified Flow Strategy for the Preparation and Use of Trifluoromethyl-heteroatom Anions. Science. DOI:10.1126/science.adq2954