Scientists have long considered ketones (a fundamental chemical class) and esters (molecules formed when an acid reacts with an alcohol) to be locked treasure chests of possibilities. Ubiquitous as pharmaceutical intermediates, ketones and esters are widely used for the synthesis of drug molecules.
Chemists unlock the potential of ketone and ester molecules, paving the way for greener and more efficient drug developmentScientists have long considered ketones and esters to be locked treasure chests of possibilities. Ubiquitous as pharmaceutical intermediates, ketones and esters are widely used for the synthesis of drug molecules.
This new approach for accessing ketones and esters builds on years of developing methods to transform traditionally unreactive bonds into useful chemical tools. For more than a decade, Yu has been at the forefront of C-H activation, a process that allows chemists to more easily break strong C-H bonds and reconfigure molecules in precise ways. By using special catalysts, scientists can"activate" this bond, allowing them to add new atoms or groups to molecules.
"C-H bonds are incredibly strong, and the natural structure of ketones and esters makes it especially difficult to direct a catalyst to the desired site," explains Yu. Using this approach, Yu and his team were able to induce chemical reactions that add key building blocks to molecules to make them more functional. Such modifications could streamline drug production and help with tailoring specialized chemical compounds, as they allow scientists to create more intricate and biologically relevant molecules -- without the multistep processes typically required.
But the impact of this research extends past the pharmaceutical industry. Beyond drug discovery, the findings have implications for materials science, agrochemicals and even the production of everyday items like plastics and solvents. "This method doesn't just expand what we can do with ketones and esters," says Yu."It unlocks a new dimension of chemical synthesis, one that connects simpler materials to more complex, valuable structures."
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