Shadow Day's participants:

Renate Vaisgerberga was shadowed by Gundars Agarskis (Jelgava Spidola State Gymnasium 10th grade)

Anete Patricija Raiskuma was shadowed by Dainis Bivka (Daugavpils Technology High School – Lyceum 10th grade)

Arturs Sperga was shadowed by Kristers Urtans (Riga Janis Sreinhauers High School 10th grade)

Janis Zakis was shadowed by Matvejs Ogurcovs (Riga State Classical Gymnasium 10th grade)

Ram Kumar Nagarajan was shadowed by Karlis Bumbahs (Talsi State Gymnasium 11th grade)

Andrei Baran was shadowed by Tomass Matusevics (Riga State 3rd Gymnasium 11th grade)

More info: https://www.osi.lv/enu-dienai-4-aprilim-esam-atverusi-30-vakances/

https://enudiena.lv/ed/par-mums

The Latvian Academy of Sciences and the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Development Fund's Edmunds Lukevics Award for 2025 is granted to Ph.D. Renāte Vaisgerberga (Institute of Organic Synthesis, LOSI) for her work "Development of Fluoromethylene Group Transfer Reagents," which was developed under the supervision of LAS Corresponding Member Dr. sci. nat. J. Veliks.

Ph. D. Renate Vaisgerberga has been working at the Institute of Organic Synthesis in Latvia since 2015. She obtained her Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from Riga Technical University. In her involvement in scientific work under the leadership of Dr. sci. nat. Janis Veliks, Renate focused on research in organic synthesis methodology, specifically the possibilities of introducing fluoromethylene groups into organic compound molecules.

Although fluorine atoms are already found in the structure of every fifth active pharmaceutical ingredient, the range of synthetic methods for their introduction remains quite limited, often requiring the use of aggressive and polluting reagents. Therefore, the relevance of Ph. D. Vaisgerberga’s research and its impact on the development of organic synthesis methodology is clear. The content of Renate Vaisgerberga's doctoral dissertation is reflected in seven scientific publications, and the young scientist has presented papers at several scientific conferences.

Currently, Ph. D. Vaisgerberga continues her work at the Organic Synthesis Laboratory at the Institute of Organic Synthesis, where she independently leads the research project "Novel Source Towards Challenging Monofluorocarbene."

More info: https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/2195-ivars-kalvins-lza-apzinas-savu-misiju-augstakas-izglitibas-zinatnes-un-inovaciju-attistibas-veicinasana

https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/2126-lza-senats-jauna-gada-pirmaja-sede-apstiprina-lza-vardbalvu-un-jauno-zinatnieku-balvu-laureatus

More about Young Researcher Award recipient: https://www.lza.lv/images/LM_LZA%20balvas/LZA_balvas_2025/Edmunds_Lukevics_2025.pdf

During her bachelor's studies, Laura began working at the Organic Synthesis Methodology Group at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and continues her work in the Organic Synthesis Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. sci. nat. Janis Veliks. In 2022, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Latvia with the thesis “Synthesis of New AcrAB-TolC Efflux Pump Inhibitors” (supervisors:  Dr. sci. nat. Janis Veliks, Dr. Marina Madre). In 2024, she completed her Master’s degree in Natural Sciences with the thesis “Synthesis of N-Heterocycle-containing Amino Acids” (supervisors:  Dr. sci. nat. Janis Veliks, Dr. Marina Madre). Her research focuses on the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp10/nsp16 2′-O-methyltransferase complex as a potential approach to the development of new antiviral agents, synthesizing N-heterocycle-containing amino acids that can serve as inhibitors and provide data for artificial intelligence-driven drug development.

More info: https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/2195-ivars-kalvins-lza-apzinas-savu-misiju-augstakas-izglitibas-zinatnes-un-inovaciju-attistibas-veicinasana

https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/2126-lza-senats-jauna-gada-pirmaja-sede-apstiprina-lza-vardbalvu-un-jauno-zinatnieku-balvu-laureatus

More about Young Researcher Award recipient: https://lza.lv/images/LM_LZA%20balvas/LZA_balvas_2025/JZ_2_2025.pdf

In 2013, the Mundheim family established the Excellence Scholarship, awarded to the top student from the University of Latvia’s bachelor’s programs in Biology or Chemistry who chooses to continue their studies at the master’s level.

More info about Mundheim family scholarship recipients: http://fonds.lv/scholarships/25

More about Anete: http://fonds.lv/students/911

http://fonds.lv/students/943

Pictures from: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H2NNRpX4t/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WVrGcApbn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We are improving problem solving skills together! #Goup event 2024

See more information about quest here: https://escapetown.lv/zelta-armijas-eliksirs/

More info: https://www.researchlatvia.gov.lv/lv/night-events/latvijas-organiskas-sintezes-instituts

This year, Janis Mikelis Zakis received his PhD from the University of Strasbourg (France) and his doctoral thesis was on the topic: Cyclometallated iridium catalysts for ortho-directed C–H borylation. More info: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57424752300

Last year, Toms developed a high school research project in the OSL laboratory under Arturs supervision; this year, he has returned to the group as a first-year chemistry student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology.

Fluorohalomethylsulfonium Salts as a Fluorohalocarbene Source

Herein, we report efficient synthesis of novel diaryl fluorohalomethyl sulfonium salts. The application showcased proficient reagents for Freon-free fluorochloro-, fluorobromo-, and fluoroiodocarbene transfer to alkenes. The developed mild, room temperature conditions for the cyclopropanation do not require any metal catalysts and allow synthetic access to diverse cyclopropanes.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.4c02327

Acknowledgement: Latvian Council of Science project lzp-2022/1-0335

More about conference and speakers: https://boschem.eu/bos2024/

Conference programme: https://boschem.eu/bos2024/schedule/

Conference abstract book: https://boschem.eu/bos2024/abstract-book/

Posters were presented by:

   Nagarajan Ramkumar                  Arturs Sperga                             Laura Paunina                Anete Patricija Raiskuma              

and Ketrina Plantus

Ketrina has defended her Bachelor's Thesis "Synthetic application of 2-fluorocyclopropyl-1-sulfinate" at the Riga Technical University (12.06.2024.).
Congratulations on the first milestone in the career of a chemical scientist!

Laura has defended her Master's Thesis “Synthesis of amino acids containing N-Heterocycles” at the University of Latvia (07.06.2024.).
Congratulations and good luck in starting your PhD studies!

The award ceremony for winners of the Latvian Academy of Sciences competition - The Best Achievements in Latvian Science in 2023 was held on February 23, 2024.

The prize was given for research in applied science: ''Innovative reagent that significantly expands the possibilities for chemists to incorporate fluorine atoms''.
Authors: LAS corresponding member Janis Veliks, Ph.D. Nagarajan Ram Kumar, Dr.chem. Larisa Baumane, Dr.chem. Dzintars Zacs. #Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis.

Video recording of the award ceremony: https://youtu.be/ksglFEJvWNE?si=2Chjfdz9KmsjlY_l

Since 1999 – when the award was given for the first time to young researchers – it is its aim to send a sign of recognition and career encouragement to the new generation of organic chemists.

https://www.thieme.de/en/thieme-chemistry/thieme-chemistry-journals-award-107359.htm

Research as a creatively intuitive process. The calendar “Research Latvia 2024” – stories about 12 passionate personalities, outstanding in their field and endowed with unlimited creativity. Scientists help find solutions to global challenges and everyday problems through their research.

http://youtu.be/jKLoX-2vv2c?si=gFMd8dBRatCpjtkz

Congratulations to Ph.D. Renate Melngaile for receiving The Emīlija Gudriniece Prize of Latvian Academy of Sciences on her Doctoral Thesis "Development of Fluoromethylene Transfer Reagents".

https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/1782-lza-senats-apstiprina-vardbalvu-un-jauno-zinatnieku-balvu-laureatus

Researchers led by Dr.sc.nat. Janis Veliks have developed a new, stable, and non-aggressive reagent. In the presence of a catalyst and under the influence of blue LED light, this reagent generates fluoromethyl radicals – active particles containing fluorine that readily attach to organic molecules. This innovative reagent significantly expands the possibilities for chemists to incorporate fluorine atoms, paving the way for the construction of potential new drugs and the development of novel technologies for obtaining well-known substances.

https://www.lza.lv/en/activities/news/1778-winners-of-the-annual-science-achievements-competition-2023-announced

https://replay.lsm.lv/lv/ieraksts/ltv/317101/izstrada-jaunu-reagentu-fluoru-saturosu-molekulu-iegusanai

Renate has successfully defended her PhD thesis! During doctoral studies she has been working on development of fluoromethylene transfer reagents and methodologies to access novel monofluorinated molecules. Congratulations and warmest regards from Veliks group!

Congratulations to Renate for her paper in OL!

Read our latest work in OL: Synthetic Access to Fluorocyclopropylidenes

Efficient reagent and methodology reported to access rare monofluorinated building-blocks - fluorocyclopropylidenes.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00579

Arturs has received Young Researchers Award 2023 of Latvian Academy of Sciences!

Congratulations to Arturs for receiving Young Researchers Award 2023 of Latvian Academy of Sciences on his work on Iron Catalyzed Fluoromethylene Transfer.

http://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/1448-lza-jauno-zinatnieku-balvu-laureati-2023-arturs-sperga

Check out his ineterview on Latvian 1st Channel:

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/tehnologijas-un-zinatne/14.03.2023-jaunais-zinatnieks-latvija-izstrada-jaunu-metodi-fluora-savienojumu-ieguvei.a500698/

https://www.osi.lv/pasniegtas-lza-balvas-jaunajiem-zinatniekiem-tostarp-tris-osi-kimikiem/

Presenting infrastructure available at our group to Latvian prime minister Mr. K. Kariņš.

Read our latest work in ACIE: Merging Copper(I) Photoredox Catalysis and Iodine(III) Chemistry for the Oxy-monofluoromethylation of Alkenes

[Bis(monofluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene- a new reagent for radical monofluoromethylation under visible-light copper(I) photoredox catalysis.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202219027?af=R

We are glad to announce that Organic Synthesis Laboratory at LIOS starts working from 1st of October

Arturs Sperga has participated in 12th Paul Walden Symposium on organic chemistry on 28-29th of October.
He won the award for the best poste for master degree students. Congratulations!