Lighting up chemical reactions for sustainable drug production

Date:
November 5, 2021
Source:
University of Nottingham
Summary:
Researchers have discovered a new approach for using visible-light
to structurally modify bioactive molecules in chemical reactions,
providing a possible sustainable alternative to traditional methods
that could be used in the design and production of new medicines.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers have discovered a new approach for using visible-light to structurally modify bioactive molecules in chemical reactions, providing
a possible sustainable alternative to traditional methods that could be
used in the design and production of new medicines.


========================================================================== Scientists from the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry,
based at the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory are exploring the development
of new sustainable ways to make chemicals by exploiting the green and inexhaustible energy of visible-light, as an alternative to traditional chemical methodologies requiring the use of toxic reagents and heavy
metals. Their latest research 'Visible Light-driven conjunctive
olefination' has been published today inNature Chemistry.

The invention of novel drugs and agrochemicals often involves
investigation of several structural analogues to refine their bioactivity
or other key chemical properties. Chemists often access these analogues
through chemical modification of complex bioactive molecules, a process
defined as "late-stage functionalisation." However, only a fraction
of the possible analogues is accessible through traditional chemical
methods, which often use toxic or expensive reagents and catalysts. Many catalysts rely on using heavy metals which are well-known environmental pollutantsdue to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature.

Late-stage functionalisation is an important tool for drug design. This research offers a new approach that is very modular, practical and
sustainable.

This new approach will significantly expand the structures available to scientists and has the potential for extensive application in the design
and production of new drugs.

Dr Mattia Silvi led the research and said: "We have now discovered a fundamentally new approach to structurally modify bioactive molecules
handling them as practically as if they were Lego building blocks. Our
approach exploits the sustainable energy of visible light, avoids the
use of heavy metals and has general applicability, thereby opening
access to exceptional room for the design of new derivatives. The
results of our study could significantly impact the way scientists
design new analogues of complex bioactive molecules, providing a new a
new powerful tool for the development of the medicines of tomorrow."
"This research also further demonstrates the exceptional potential
of the use of visible-light energy in organic synthesis, that has
impressively grown in the last decade, and is expected to continue to grow
in the future, thereby opening new avenues for sustainable chemistry." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Nottingham. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Dario Filippini, Mattia Silvi. Visible light-driven conjunctive
olefination. Nature Chemistry, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00807-x ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211105134527.htm

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