The efficient synthesis of complex molecular scaffolds is still one of the major challegenges in organic chemistry. Our research is focused on the development of new multicomponent reactions for an efficient, modular accces to synthetically important building blocks and biologically relevant structural motives.

Key aspects of our research are:

- Broadly applicable, efficient and easy-to-perform reactions

- Universal methods for the construction of complex structures with ahigh degree of diversity

- Development of sustainbale methods in accordance to the principles of Green Chemistry

- Immediate application of our methods as for the solution of complex, interdisciplinary problems

The sulfonyl group (-SO2-) is an important structural motif in organic chemistry and in biologically active molecules. We are developing new methods for a highly modualr and consistent synthesis of sulfonly-group containing molecules using sulfur dioxide a key building block for the incorportaion of the central SO₂-moiety.

The Manolikakes lab is utilizing enamides as versatile building blocks for the synthesis of complex, nitrogen-containing organic molecules. We have developed several methods, which enable a rapid, highly modular construction of complex scaffolds with complete control over up to five newly formed continuous stereocenters.

Nitrated fatty acids (NFAs), such as 9-nitrooleic acid, are naturally occuring lipid mediators, which are involved in various signaling pathways and cellular responses. As highly reactive electrophiles, NFAs mainly act by post-translational modification of different proteins via nitroalkylation of nucleophilic side chain residues. In corporation with Thorsten Maier and Jessica Roos (University-Hopsital Frankfurt/Main and Paul-Ehrlich-Institute) we are investigating the role of NFAs in different biological processes and diseases.

Selected Publikations

An Enamide-Based Domino Reaction for a Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydropyrans P. Kramer, J. Grimmer, M. Bolte, G. Manolikakes, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 13056-13059.

Anti-inflammatory nitro-fatty acids suppress tumor growth by triggering mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of the intrinsic apototiuc pathway of colorectal cancer cells B. Kühn, C. Brat, J. Fettel, N. Hellmuth, I. V. Maucher, U. Bulut, K. J. Hock, J. Grimmer, G. Manolikakes, M. Rühl, A. Kühn, K. Zacharowski, C. Matrone, A. Urbschat, J. Roos, D. Steinhilber, T. J. Maier, Biochem. Pharmacol.2018, 155, 46-80.

Radicals and Sulfur Dioxide: A Versatile Combination for the Construction of Sulfonyl-Group Containing Molecules K. Hofman, N.-W. Liu, G. Manolikakes, Chem. Eur. J.2018, 24, 11852-11863.

Visible-light mediated 3-component synthesis of sulfonylated coumarins from sulfur dioxide Z. Chen, N.-W. Liu, M. Bolte, H. Ren, G: Manolikakes, Green Chemistry2018, 20, 3059-3070.

Modular, Two-Step Approach for the Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,3-Diamines with Three Continuous Stereocenters J. Halli, J. Bats, M. Bolte, G. Manolikakes, Org. Lett.2017, 19, 674-677.

Complete List of Publications