The Societal Importance of Synthetic Organic Chemistry: A Personal Perspective

Prof. Dr. Ryan Gilmour, Universität Münster

The impact of synthetic organic chemistry can be felt all around us in the molecules and materials that enrich our lives and improve society: this is a field that responds and reacts to global challenges. Why then is the term “synthetic” so controversial? The discussion is complex and often polarising. Examples that are frequently highlighted range from the negative consequences of persistent molecules in the environment (e.g. PFAS and plastics), through to the central role of essential medicines and agrochemicals that ensure food security. In this lecture, I will propose the motion that small molecules should not be described as “good” or “bad”, but that they are either effective or ineffective for their desired purpose.

Societal evolution is peppered with key developments in synthetic organic chemistry, and many biologically active small molecules are the result of necessity. Exemplars including penicillin (antibiotic), quinine (antimalarial), morphine and aspirin (pain), are iconic mile- stones. These molecules address a societal need that has fuelled scientific enquiry. In the face of antibiotic resistance and pandemics, this tradition continues and I will argue that synthetic organic chemistry has never been so important.

My research group at the University of Münster develop highly efficient, sustainable methods to create functional molecules that are societally relevant. In this lecture, examples of recent work in the area of light induces processes, selective biomolecular imaging and vaccine design will de discussed. Most importantly, I hope to convey the message that chemistry is about people, and not only molecules. Inspiring the next generation of young scientists to tackle the challenges of tomorrow is my primary objective!

Ryan Gilmour was born in Ayrshire, Scotland (1980) and studied chemistry at the Uni- versity of St Andrews (1998 –2002). He received a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Cambridge (2006) working with Prof. Andrew B. Holmes on natural products synthesis, before completing post-doctoral research stays at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung (Germany) with Prof. Dr. Alois Fürstner and the ETH Zurich (Switzerland) with Prof. Dr. Peter H. Seeberger. In 2008, he was appointed as Alfred Werner assistant professor of synthetic organic chemistry at the ETH Zurich and in 2012, he relocated to  the University of Münster (Germany) where he is chair of organic chemistry and CiMIC professor of chemical biology.

Prof Gilmour has held visiting lectureships and professorships at various institutions including the University of California, Irvine (USA), the University of Toronto (Canada), the University of St Andrews (UK), the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). He has received numerous awards including the ERC Starter, Consolidator and Proof of Concept Grants, and the Research Prize of the University of Münster.

Gilmour ́s interests focus on translating fundamental principles of structure and reactivity to applications in stereoselective catalysis and biomedicine. He is an associate editor of the Royal Society of Chemistry flagship journal, Chemical Science, and a member of the advisory boards of several journals. Gilmour is a member of the Research Council at the University of Münster and a member of the Feodor-Lynen selection committee of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Gilmour is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and an International Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.