07/24/2025
We’re proud to share that Dr. Vinoth Kumar, Senior Research Scientist III at Curia, and his team have had their research published in the European Journal of Organic Chemistry: “Green Approach for Copper-Free Pd-Catalyzed Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Using Saponin-Based Micellar Catalysis in Water at Ambient Temperature.” This innovation reduces EHS risks and offers a safer, more sustainable approach to chemical synthesis—advancing our commitment to green chemistry.
In the pharmaceutical industry, over 80% of organic waste comes from solvents. Dr. Kumar and his team identified Saponin, an inexpensive, biodegradable, and natural surfactant that effectively forms a micellar-catalysis system in water. This system enables a challenging C(sp2)─C(sp) coupling with a broad range of aryl/heteroaryl halides and diverse terminal alkynes at room temperature. We believe Saponin can serve as a cost-effective, long-term sustainable alternative to designer surfactants.
Read the full publication here: https://hubs.li/Q03yKJrD0