Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 01/08/2026I started chemistry information gathering in libraries in 1980. I first used a machine for it in 1985, it really improved the coverage. The machines have gotten incrementally better, and I’ve developed my skill sorting it in parallel. Sure, I’m using AI now, following through to original sources. 030
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyRocío Mercado Oropeza @rociomer.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Don't miss your chance to register for the Structured Learning Workshop, to be held October 27-28 in Gothenburg, Sweden. 🇸🇪 Amazing line-up of speakers, super excited to be hosting this event now for the 4th year here at Chalmers! Registration link and more info: chalmers.ungapped.io/Events/5f087...chalmers.ungapped.io2026 CHAIR Structured Learning WorkshopWelcome to the 2026 Chalmers AI Research Center Workshop for Structured Learning. In this workshop we broadly cover topics related to Structured Learning targeting specifically the following questions... 184
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Is that even a word in English? I thought it was Hawaiian. Those who know know. 200
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 14/05/2026The first GroMoChem in Groningen was a fantastic conference, so many great speakers from all areas of chemistry! Many thanks to Syuzanna Harutyunyan and the other organizers! 070
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 10/05/2026This is the first time I’ve been to a conference where shoes were included with the registration! #Wadlopen gromochem.web.rug.nl/wadlopen.php 140
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Fingers crossed for the bumblebees 🐝, this could become a cherry 🍒 summer 🌞! 150
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 29/04/2026A short synthesis of aza-saccharins through anionic Fries Rearrangement. A fun project, thanks Mario Leypold and Karolina Kwapien for bringing me into this! doi.org/10.1039/d6sc...doi.orgRegioselective synthesis of aza-saccharins via anionic [1,4] Fries-type rearrangement of aryl sulfonimidoyl fluoridesA regioselective synthesis of aromatic and aliphatic aza-saccharins as cyclic sulfonimidamide derivatives is reported, starting from easily accessible aryl sulfonimidoyl fluorides and primary or secon... 000
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 13/04/2026Can we start differentiating between predicting enantioselectivity, and predicting the magnitude of the selectivity? The latter includes most recent ML models. You can identify it by the absence of negative numbers, and getting the same value for both enantiomers of the reagent/catalyst. 043
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 10/01/2026On my way home from the organic chemistry winter meeting #OKV39 in Norway. I really liked the format, morning ski, a few invited talks, and the rest of the presentations from young researchers, from bachelor projects to postdocs. And karaoke night yesterday 😊❄️🏔️ 120
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Wow, the “hotel room” I got at #OKV39 is actually an apartment with two bedrooms and a living room that seats 11! I should have brought my family! Hopefully the temperature goes up to -15° tomorrow, for some morning skiing before the lectures. 140
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 06/01/2026On my way to Norway for my first Organic Chemistry Winter meeting (with skiing) 😊⛷️, really looking forward to it! #OKV39 050
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Q2MM is the most accurate method for predicting asymmetric selectivity, but developing a reaction specific method requires significant time and expertise. Mikaela just made the process simpler by implementing a modified Fuerza. Thanks to Olaf and Paul for long collaboration doi.org/10.1021/acs....doi.orgRapid FF Generation via Hessian-Informed Initial Parameters and Automated RefinementThe FUERZA method and its modifications have greatly improved the generation of force field parameters from electronic structure calculations. The QFUERZA method presented here addresses some of the s... 090
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 15/10/2025We've inserted a modified FUERZA into Q2MM: doi.org/10.26434/che...doi.orgRapid FF Generation via Hessian-informed Initial Parameters and Automated RefinementThe FUERZA method and its modifications have greatly improved the generation of accurate force field parameters from electronic structure calculations. The QFUERZA method presented here addresses some... 010
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 14/10/2025@supersciencegrl.co.uk is now a part of our team, and visited Gothenburg for a week! Great to have her, and fun to have time for an outing 😊 040
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyNessa Carson @supersciencegrl.co.uk · 08/10/2025For the first time, I predicted a Nobel prize topic correctly! I did not pre-announce it on social media this year, but @cmjaeger.bsky.social and @peonor.bsky.social can attest that I did announce my guess in person to a room of chemists 🤣 #chemsky #MOFs 3161
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 07/10/2025Time for the yearly prediction, I’m guessing Paul Anastas and John Warner for Green Chemistry. 240
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyLukas Sigmund @lukasmsigmund.bsky.social · 18/09/2025Now published in @angewandtechemie.bsky.social: Our hybrid QM/ML model for the prediction of the outcome of the aromatic thianthrenation reaction – with @peonor.bsky.social , @valencekjell.com, and many great colleagues from @astra-zeneca.bsky.social. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...onlinelibrary.wiley.comPredicting Reaction Feasibility and Selectivity of Aromatic C─H Thianthrenation with a QM–ML Hybrid ApproachThis paper presents the open-source machine learning model PATTCH, which predicts the reaction feasibility and site-selectivity of aromatic C─H thianthrenation reactions. The model was built using bo.... 193
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 11/09/2025We've been working for a while on a Pareto-based search for reactions. This will bring back a diverse set of high-yielding reactions similar to the query, and will favor recent, high-scale reactions. Thanks Christoph for driving this! doi.org/10.1021/acs....doi.orgPrecedent Finder: Locating Pareto-Optimal ReactionsWe present Precedent Finder, a cheminformatics search tool for locating relevant reaction information in chemical reaction databases. Precedent Finder is a multiobjective optimization, in that it retr... 140
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/08/2025We've used Pareto selection to find a range of diverse and high-yielding precedents for synthesis reactions. Thanks for pushing this, Christoph Bauer! doi.org/10.26434/che...doi.orgPrecedent Finder – Locating Pareto-Optimal ReactionsWe present Precedent Finder, a cheminformatics search tool for locating relevant reaction information in chemical reaction databases. Precedent Finder is a multiobjective optimization, in that it re... 130
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/08/2025@lukasmsigmund.bsky.social has now enabled us not only to predict reaction selectivity with ML methods, but also the reaction feasibility, very nice work! Thanks for another great collaboration @valencekjell.com doi.org/10.26434/che...doi.orgPredicting Reaction Feasibility and Selectivity of Aromatic C–H Thianthrenation with a QM-ML Hybrid ApproachThe direct thianthrenation of aromatic C–H bonds is a valuable late-stage functionalization strategy that can assist, for example, the development of new drugs. We herein present a predictive computat... 091
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 19/08/2025Sometimes publication can take a while. @kannlab.bsky.social started this complex click chemistry while I was still an academic 🙂. doi.org/10.1039/D5OB...doi.orgRuthenium-catalyzed synthesis of tricyclic 1,5-fused 1,2,3-triazole piperazinesA double cyclization strategy, involving sequential ruthenium-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (RuAAC) and hydrogen borrowing, allows the rapid assembly of tricyclic 1,5-fused 1,2,3-triazole piper... 040
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyRobin Bedford @bedcatalysis.bsky.social · 11/07/2025As promised, postdoc positions at BristolUni.bsky.social available in homogeneous catalysis and computational chemistry exploring the replacement of palladium catalysts by Earth-Abundant Metals: www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de... #ChemSky #CompChemSky #ChemJobs #UKChemJobsbristol.ac.ukDetails | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol 11916
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 23/05/2025The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future was launched today: www.stockholm-declaration.org I believe this will be an important guiding document in years to come. Please read, sign, and share!stockholm-declaration.orgHome | Stockholm Declaration 1135
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/05/2025This has been a spectacular conference, I’ve learned so much! A couple of satellite events remain, then I go home energized for our work on increasing sustainability! 020
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyLukas Sigmund @lukasmsigmund.bsky.social · 19/05/2025The thianthrenation reaction of aromatic C-H bonds now has its predictive ML model for assessing both reaction feasibility and selectivity. Many thanks to the amazing team, @peonor.bsky.social, @valencekjell.com, and my colleagues at @astra-zeneca.bsky.social. chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...chemrxiv.orgPredicting Reaction Feasibility and Selectivity of Aromatic C–H Thianthrenation with a QM-ML Hybrid ApproachThe direct thianthrenation of aromatic C–H bonds is a valuable late-stage functionalization strategy that can assist, for example, the development of new drugs. We herein present a predictive computat... 041
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 24/04/2025Senior manager position available in medicinal chemistry at AstraZeneca Gothenburg: careers.astrazeneca.com/job/gothenbu... PS. Don't contact me, I'm not involved in hiring. Just follow the link.careers.astrazeneca.comSenior Director, Medicinal Chemistry Strategy at AstraZenecaLearn more about applying for Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry Strategy at AstraZeneca 167
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/04/2025Big thanks to Helena Leuser for bringing me into this exciting collaboration. Synthetically useful, and I think we understand the reactivity difference between benzenes and pyridines. doi.org/10.1021/acs....doi.orgAccess to Phenolic Pyridopyridazinones and Phthalazinones Using THP Ether-Directed Ortho LithiationRoute scouting, process research and development, and large-scale synthesis of phenol-substituted pyridopyridazinones (azaphthalazinones) and phthalazinones are reported. For the introduction of one o... 010
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 07/04/2025The first 11k of the year, I’m still aiming for the half-marathon in mid-May 😊 strava.app.link/zxtMQhpOmSbstrava.app.link 030
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Ah, good to see that @nsf-ccas.bsky.social made it to BlueSky, welcome! 130
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Really grateful to be part of this review on predictions of selectivity, driven by @lukasmsigmund.bsky.social ! doi.org/10.1039/D5SC...doi.orgComputational tools for the prediction of site- and regioselectivity of organic reactionsThe regio- and site-selectivity of organic reactions is one of the most important aspects when it comes to synthesis planning. Due to that, massive research efforts were invested into computational mo... 1253
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyMónica H. Pérez-Temprano @monicahperez.bsky.social · 26/02/2025🚨 We’re hiring! 🚨 Looking for a #Postdoc opportunity? Join my research group @iciq.org to work at the interface of transition metal catalysis, organic & organometallic chemistry! 🌍👩🔬👨🔬 📌 Apply now: careers.iciq.org/jobs/5601050... 🗓 Deadline: March 11 🔄 Shares appreciated!careers.iciq.org 198
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Did you know that simple Pd-phosphines can be photocatalysts? Here, it enables a carbonylative coupling with little excess of CO, perfect for isotope labelling. Great mechanistic study and reaction development by Erik Sundén! doi.org/10.1021/acs....doi.orgMechanistic Study of Photochemical Aminocarbonylation of Alkyl Iodides Catalyzed by a Palladium Catalyst Using Experimental and Computational MethodsAminocarbonylations are versatile reactions amenable to applications in convergent synthesis and isotope labeling. Herein, a mechanistic study of a previously reported visible-light-promoted aminocarbonylation of unactivated alkyl iodides is presented. This study combines in situ spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and organic chemistry techniques. A T1 excited-state promoted ligand dissociation in concert with an atom transfer radical addition was uncovered as a likely first step in the mechanism, instead of the usual three-center oxidative addition. Improvement in the reaction yield was achieved by optimizing the reaction based on mechanistic insights. This took the form of promoting a computationally uncovered cationic carbonylation pathway with the use of bidentate ligands. 0121
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 17/02/2025We have a chemistry data undergraduate internship open in Macclesfield, only a couple of days left to apply! Don't contact me, follow the link: astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Emerging-Tal...astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.comChemistry Data Summer InternshipAbout AstraZeneca AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. AstraZeneca has long been an advocate of stud... 21413
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/01/2025Last year, I collaborated with Kathrin Hopmann and others on understanding very different examples of Ni catalysis. It's really important to tune the reaction conditions to enable the best resting state for each reaction type. doi.org/10.1021/jacs... doi.org/10.1002/anie...doi.orgKinetically-Controlled Ni-Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of Unactivated Secondary Alkyl Bromides without Chain WalkingHerein, we report the direct carboxylation of unactivated secondary alkyl bromides enabled by the merger of photoredox and nickel catalysis, a previously inaccessible endeavor in the carboxylation are... 0110
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 22/01/2025Absolute enantiomer determination is hard, even from XRay, and sometimes errors are published. We believe we found such a case, from Ir-catalyzed allylation. Form your own opinion: doi.org/10.1021/acs.... Excellent computational study by Sahil Gahlawat.doi.orgComputational Study of the Ir-Catalyzed Formation of Allyl Carbamates from CO2We have employed computational methods to investigate the iridium-catalyzed allylic substitution leading to the formation of enantioenriched allyl carbamates from carbon dioxide (CO2). The reaction occurs in several steps, with initial formation of an iridium-allyl, followed by nucleophilic attack by the carbamate formed in situ from CO2 and an amine. A detailed isomeric analysis shows that the rate-determining step differs for the (R)- and (S)-pathways. These insights are essential for understanding reactions involving enantioselective formation of allyl carbamates from CO2. 150
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 24/12/2024Proposal: can we make each email cost 1 cent? I wouldn’t mind paying that, and all spammers would have to pay thousands! 2101
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 19/12/2024Off work for the Holidays now, even if I still wake up from dreams of databases for sustainability data. 🤣 Now some weeks of rest, recovery, and rejoicing. Back to work in mid-January. 170
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 10/12/2024I loved the self-roast! Thanks for making this @fekri.io blueskyroast.com/roast/peonor...blueskyroast.comThe Chemist Who Tweets from the BlueSky LabPer-Ola Norrby is blending chemistry and social media like it's a perfect solution. 000
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 04/12/2024This was fun! Mostly accurate, and the roasting only 1st degree burns 😉 120
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyCOSMO Lab @labcosmo.bsky.social · 03/12/2024Hello! I'm posting this both here and on the X-rated site, let's see where it gets more re-posts 😇. We are looking for a research software engineer to help us develop (even) better code for #compchem #atomicscale #machinelearning. Check out the specs and apply! www.epfl.ch/labs/cosmo/i...epfl.chJobs- 35953
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyCarolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · 02/12/2024Any progress bringing the @amerchemsociety.bsky.social journal feeds over here? 4576
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyPhilippe Schwaller @pschwllr.bsky.social · 02/12/2024We are hiring (resharing appreciated)! Given recent successful grant applications (I got my SNSF Starting Grant 🚀), we are extending the LIAC team with multiple openings (PhD/postdoc) for 2025. Apply now (deadline: December 20th) by filling in this form: forms.fillout.com/t/eq5ADAw3kkus. #ChemSky 610271
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 02/12/2024This was fun and easy! Except the download didn’t work, so this is a screen capture. Make your own at skircle.me 0100
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 26/11/2024The longest I’ve had between the first acquisition of data to publication is 22 years: doi.org/10.1021/om10... The longest between outlining the idea (in my PhD) to final realization and publication is 36 years: doi.org/10.1038/s414...doi.orgSterically Governed Selectivity in Palladium-Assisted Allylic AlkylationThe selectivity in the Pd-assisted allylic alkylation has been investigated in a system with a ligand tethered to the allylic moiety. Isolation of (η3-allyl)Pd complexes and stoichiometric reaction with malonate nucleophiles allowed separation of various factors influencing the regioselectivity in a system that cannot undergo apparent rotation. Unexpectedly, trans effects were found to have only a minor influence on the selectivity, whereas changing the tether length could shift the preference from favored internal to dominant terminal attack. DFT-assisted analysis revealed that the dominant selectivity-determining factors are the forced rotation of the allylic moiety and an important steric repulsion from a syn-alkyl substituent. 2253
Reposted by Per-Ola NorrbyKjell Jorner @valencekjell.com · 21/11/2024What better first post than to advertise this position. Come join our group! Our group is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for a project on reactive machine learning potentials. Reposts and spreading the word to interested people in your network appreciated! jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...jobs.ethz.chPostdoc position in reactive machine learning potentials 06134
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 21/11/2024Making chemical synthesis fossil-free and without CO₂ cost is possible (in 10-20 years), but will require lots of green energy. We need more of all types! Wind, solar, nuclear. 2141
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 19/11/2024For those who followed me recently: do you want to be followed back? The most important is your bio; if there are things there that interest me, I follow back. I haven’t been able to look carefully, >1000 new followers in a week, but I will get back to it when the rush abates. Empty = no follow. 0190
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 18/11/2024It was such a pleasure singing the Rainbow Suite by Mikael Carlsson with the Haga Motet-choir this weekend. 🎶🏳️🌈 Allyship is not only for the Pride week. Now we’ll take this on the road, Stockholm on Saturday. 020
Per-Ola Norrby @peonor.bsky.social · 18/11/2024What an explosion! It took a year to reach a couple of hundred followers, and now to >1000 in a week! Welcome all, may this space be beneficial to your mental health and allow you to grow! 0380