The Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced the results of the 4th edition of the “Student scientific clubs create innovations” program. The project “MechaTek – environmentally friendly mechanochemical synthesis of tecovirimate” was recommended for financing, which will be implemented by members of the Student Scientific Club of Organic Synthesis, operating at the Department of Organic Chemistry of the Jagiellonian University Medical College, under the supervision of Dr. Vittorio Canale and Dr. Przemysław Szafrański.
The aim of the project is to develop a sustainable process for the synthesis of tecovirimate, an antiviral drug, using mechanochemical methods. The new synthetic approach proposed by the students should reduce the amount of organic solvents, shorten the reaction time, simplify the procedures for isolation and purification of intermediates, and increase the efficiency of the tecovirimate preparation process. The “green” synthesis of tecovirimate will expand the range of applications of mechanochemical methods for obtaining drugs and confirm the readiness of the technology for further development work.