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Juha Siitonen

@juhesiit.bsky.social
607 followers 606 following 52 posts

Assistant professor of organic chemistry at Aalto University. Total synthesis, weird nitrogen species, theoretical chemistry, and education. He/Him. Prior: Rice Univ. 🇺🇸, Lund Univ. 🇸🇪, Univ. of Jyväskylä. 🇫🇮 Website: etosgroup.fi

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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Sorting out AC condensate water dripping onto and INTO our LC/MS was not exacly how planned to spend the evening. ☔️ #chemchat
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Here's some of my favorite AI slop infographics from linkedin. #guiltypleasure #chemchat
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Reading through the ASAPs at @synthesis1969.bsky.social and boy-oh-boy is the Thieme website a smooth user experience after having dealt with the RSC and ACS shenanigans. #chemchat
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
When I started my group some 4½ years ago, I posted a photo of the then brand new balances in pristine condition on Twitter. Someone commented saying they'll give it a year and it'll be covered in gunk "as always in synthesis labs". I'm happy to announce that did, in fact, not happen. #chemchat
A clean analytical balance in a lab
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Jay Forsythe @jaygforsythe.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Our department is hiring! We teach and do research with undergraduates exclusively. For a PUI, we have very good facilities and instrumentation (400 MHz NMR, six MS). Great colleagues and students — about 1/3 of majors go on to Ph.D. #chemsky @chemjobber.bsky.social jobs.cofc.edu/postings/18244
jobs.cofc.edu
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (organic)
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the College of Charleston invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position beginning in F...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Haloxine gets synthesized after nearly 60 years since its isolation! Spearheaded by PhD student Linh, a biomimetic route featuring two domino reactions builds the alkaloid in three steps. This project has been a true rollercoaster! doi.org/10.26434/che... #chemsky #chemchat
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Bonds don't exist 👀
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Not a huge fan of the new rsc journal layout. Everything seems awfully cluttered :S #chemchat
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The NMR faculty at Aalto is hands-down one of the best I've ever worked with. We have been able to unambigiously assign challenging stereochemistries for highly overlapping systems using their in-house GEMSTONE methods. I even got to fix up a part of the pulse program myself! #chemchat #chemsky
Slice of a 2D NMR spectrum
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Just this week our lab cracked a total synthesis we've been struggling with for four years now. It never ceases to amaze me how these projects can be completely stuck for years only to be resolved in a matter of days! #chemchat #chemsky
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Our Department of Chemistry and Material Science at Aalto University is hiring a university teacher in chemistry. You must be able to teach in Finnish. Tule meille Aaltoon yliopisto-opettajaksi! Opetustehtävistä merkittävä osa on kandidaattitason laboratorio-opetusta. www.aalto.fi/fi/avoimet-t...
aalto.fi
Kemian ja materiaalitieteen yliopisto-opettaja | Aalto-yliopisto
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
I really love it when a fresh batch of scXRD structures drops from our collaborators at @uniofjyvaskyla.bsky.social! N–Cl bonds have become our group's workhorse and the structs allow finding really neat trends, here's a snippet from our 2025 paper. #chemchat #chemsky
Single crystal x-ray structure of a 1,2-aminochloride showing a N-Cl bond.
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Has anyone else noticed that something got REALLY broken with the Shift + drag/Ctrl+Shift + drag in the lastest #ChemDraw update? Or is it just me? #chemsky #chemchat
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @pnas.org · 07/02/2026
Ants recognize their nestmates by their distinctive hydrocarbons, including alkenes. Ozone pollution can degrade these alkene compounds, leaving these social insects stranded in a world of strangers . In PNAS: ow.ly/qrCn50Yaq1f
Researcher with a petri dish, in which ozonated ants were presented to nest mates. 
CREDIT: Markus Knaden
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence. "The energy is given by E = p²/2m + ½mω²x²." (Stephen Gasiorowicz: Quantum Physics)
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Xmas came a bit early to our group! The Foundation for Research of Natural Resources in Finland has funded our project on developing strategies for aminating electron rich aromatic natural products including lignans and lignins. 🎉 #chemsky #chemchat @aalto.fi
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
I just completed all 12 days of Advent of Code 2025! Day 10 Part 2 took a while to figure out. I really like the 12 day format. #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com
Advent of code calendar with all the 24 stars collected.
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
First time to happen this year, I accidentally solved for Part 2 of Day 7 first! Just completed "Laboratories" - Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode #ChemistsWhoCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/7
adventofcode.com
Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Did I need an electronic dice? Not really! Did I need to reconnect with my childhood hobby of designing and building rather pointless contraptions? Yes!
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Turns out microplastics are now sneaking into natural products, too. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/... #chemchat
pubs.acs.org
Myrrhain A: Structural Reassignment Highlights the Relevance of Plasticizer Contamination in Chemical and Bioactivity Studies
The proposed structure for myrrhain A, containing an unlikely 1,2-di-t-butylbenzofuran substitution pattern, was reassigned as a known plasticizer by direct spectroscopic comparison and Computer Assis...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Yeah, that looks about right. #chemchat
Framed wall art displaying a wildly inaccurate caffeine molecule with the word ‘coffee’ written underneath
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Bri Barbu @bribarbu.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
It's that time again: @cenmag.bsky.social 's molecule of the year poll is now OPEN! Check out the contenders, lovingly curated by yours truly from past C&EN stories, and vote for your favorite by Dec. 11 #chemsky #scisky #moty2025 cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
cen.acs.org
Meet the molecules of the year 2025
C&EN editors’ annual round-up of spectacular molecules we’ve covered in the past year
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
KoenigChemistry @chemistrykoenig.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
The vast method development uses photochemistry as a guiding light through many steps in the synthesis of complex target molecules. General concepts with recent examples on the use of photochemistry in natural product synthesis are discussed. Thanks to Elina! #ChemSky pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org
Harnessing Photochemistry in Natural Product Synthesis: From Strategy to Applications
Photochemistry and total synthesis are deeply rooted in the history of organic chemistry, each developing independently while also intersecting frequently. Indeed, mild reaction conditions, versatility of transformations, and complementary selectivities to thermal methods make photochemistry an especially powerful tool for the synthesis of complex target molecules. In this Review, we highlight recent examples of total syntheses (from 2020 to 2025) featuring photochemical reactions as pivotal steps. Although the application of photochemistry in total synthesis has been consistently reviewed throughout the past decades, we feel that the wider emergence of photocatalytic methods, together with the continued importance of certain direct irradiation approaches, warrants its own discussion. We hope that our analytical approach and strategic insights will help us to identify cases where photochemical reactions could prove useful, thereby further encouraging their use in total syntheses.
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
National Finnish chemistry olympiad exams for 2025 are now prepared and ready for the eager students to solve! En route to #IChO 58!
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Our two-step total synthesis of monoterpene lactones Lappaceolide A and B appears in Org. Lett. ASAPs! Kudos to our postdoc Rajanish for troubleshooting the tricky domino reaction, and to undergraduate researchers Jenna and Leevi for initial route exploration. #chemsky pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org
Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)-Lappaceolides A and B
The first total synthesis of lappaceolides A and B is achieved in two steps by using a biomimetic vinylogous-Michael–oxa-Michael domino reaction. The domino reaction proceeds with Cs2CO3 in 1,2-DCE at...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
The Magauer lab's full account on the total synthesis of ganoapplanin is out! This is a rare in-depth behind the scenes account that I'll no doubt use in teaching our total synthesis course at Aalto. Well worth a read! chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Evolution of a Strategy for the Total Synthesis of the Ganoderma Meroterpenoid Ganoapplanin
Herein, the development of the first total synthesis of the Ganoderma meroterpenoid ganoapplanin is presented. Insights from unsuccessful approaches guide the design of an efficient route centered on....
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
John Trant @trantteam.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Hey #Chemsky, Does anyone know the story about acrolein? Like...why it isn't available anymore?
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Jani Erola @janierola.net · 27/03/2025
My US-based colleagues, FYI: Finnish Research Council is about to announce a special call to fund researchers abroad to relocate to Finland. By all means this is not intended to lure you into moving to Finland, it just happens to be planned right now by pure chance.
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Andy Lawrence @biomimetic-chem.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
A postdoctoral position, funded by the Leverhulme Trust for up to 36 months, is available to join my group at the University of Edinburgh. The project focuses on biomimetic approaches to natural product synthesis. Deadline: 18th April 2025. elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
Postdoctoral Research Associate
The School of Chemistry invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to work under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Lawrence on a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The succ...
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Andy Lawrence @biomimetic-chem.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
2 PhD studentships available (UK students only). Deadline: 4 April. 1. Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis, with @king-smithgroup.bsky.social www.findaphd.com/phds/project... 2. Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Natural Products www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Reposted by Juha Siitonen
Chris Asquith @chrisasquith.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Hitting the target! Here is our recent review in Euro J Med Chem highlighting the uses and advantages of the very versatile Dimroth Rearrangement in both drug discovery and process chemistry. @uniuef.bsky.social, @elsevierconnect.bsky.social, #chemsky - Check it out - doi.org/10.1016/j.ej...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Check out our latest work on aminochlorination chemistry in Chem. Eur. J. N,N-dichlorocarbamates function as a operationally simple platform for generating N-centered radicals with blue light! @aalto.fi #chemsky doi.org/10.1002/chem...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Congratulations to our undergraduate researcher Minttu Karta for completing the total synthesis of sclerotioloid A and B! These small alkaloids are the first natural isolates to contain an N-propargyl group. Now out as #OpenAcess in @synlettjournal.bsky.social dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-00.... #chemsky
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Jukka Suomela @jukkasuomela.fi · 30/01/2025
The Department of Computer Science at Aalto University (Finland) is hiring five (!) Assistant Professors in these areas: - Computer Architecture - Programming Languages - Human-Computer Interaction - Software Engineering - Systems Security www.aalto.fi/en/departmen...
aalto.fi
Assistant Professor positions | Aalto University
We are looking for multiple assistant professors to join our department
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
#adventofcode 2024 completed! It was a ton of fun as usual. Overall this year felt a bit easier than the prior ones.
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
I've completed "Crossed Wires" - Day 24 - Advent of Code 2024. Unexpectedly, my electronics hobby proved useful in part 2! #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2024/day/24
adventofcode.com
Day 24 - Advent of Code 2024
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
I've completed "Garden Groups" - Day 12 - Advent of Code 2024 #AdventOfCode Part 2 took a while, though! adventofcode.com/2024/day/12
adventofcode.com
Day 12 - Advent of Code 2024
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 19/12/2023
Blue light is enough to cleave the antibonding effect-weakened N-Cl bond of Cl2NBoc, facilitating mild aminochlorination of olefins. Our first method at Aalto University for constructing alkaloid scaffolds, and also our entry to photochemistry! doi.org/10.26434/che...
doi.org
Blue Light-Induced 1,2-Aminochlorination of Olefins using Dichlorocarbamates
Activation of N,N-dichlorocarbamates with blue light facilitates a direct 1,2-aminochlorination of unactivated olefins to yield 1,2-chloro-N-Cl-carbamates under ambient conditions. Mechanistic studies...
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 13/11/2023
We are developing a new course on molecular quantum mechanics, and I'd like to find a suitable textbook. Are there any quantum mechanics texts out there that would share the same level of clarity and rigor as Clayden has in organic chemistry? #ChemSky
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 03/11/2023
After repeated flushing, a bunch of silica dust came out of the valve. This is the valve that diverts the liquid flow either to waste or the UV flowcell. Silica should never end up this far in the instrument! We only use pre-packaged columns, too. Has anyone else in ChemSky had this issue?
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 31/10/2023
CombiFlash has worked super reliably until just recently. The three-way servo valve has given up, usch!
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 29/10/2023
I have always loved physics, programming, and mathematics. At Aalto, I have finally been able to put all of these together in my graduate level physical organic chemistry course. It's great to reunite with fundamental statistical mechanics, derive results with pen and paper and code simulations!
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 23/10/2023
The latest thing I've noticed breaking with ChemDraw is the office suite embedding with hashed bonds. Weird blobs appear at seemingly random and across different style sheets. @petripihko.bsky.social confirmed that the problem is just not at my end. Has anyone been able to fix this?
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 23/10/2023
Our overseas ChemGlass order just arrived. Finally our lab has the one piece of equipment I've missed the most from the US labs: the rotavap vial adapter kit! #realtimechem #chemistry
A fume hood containing a chemglass vial adapter kit.
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Juha Siitonen @juhesiit.bsky.social · 19/10/2023
I had a fantastic stay in Innsbruck hosted by Prof. Thomas Magauer! The common theme in both of our groups seemed to be misbehaving OMe groups in late-stage total synthesis intermediates...
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