Lewis superacids: catalytic activity and odorant applications

The metal salts of protic superacids can be considered as Lewis superacids as they are derived from the corresponding Brönsted superacids. These salts are highly electrophilic and can efficiently activate a variety of functional groups.¹

The development of catalytic, clean and efficient methods to create C-C bonds remains an attractive topic in the field of organic chemistry. Our group has been involved during the past years in the design and development of new cycloisomerisation reactions catalysed by Lewis superacids, in particular by metal triflates and triflimides.²

New reactions based on cationic-type cyclisations and polycyclisations of polyunsaturated systems such as alkenes, polyenes, allenes and enol ethers will be presented.³

The series of new products have been tested for their olfactory properties. Some applications in the field of flavor and fragrance will also be presented.⁴