Chemists at Scripps Research have developed a simple method for creating saturated heterocycles, which are ring-shaped chemical structures commonly found in FDA-approved drugs. This breakthrough allows for the synthesis of these compounds using affordable starting materials.
The researchers showcased the effectiveness of their new technique by successfully synthesizing stemoamide, a complex compound derived from plants and used in traditional medicine.
According to Jin-Quan Yu, Ph.D., the senior author of the study and a professor at Scripps Research, “These innovative reactions will streamline the construction of saturated heterocycles crucial for drug development.”
The study’s first author, Sam Chan, Ph.D., worked as a postdoctoral research associate in Yu’s lab during the research.
Saturated heterocycles are organic compounds with ring structures containing at least one non-carbon atom. In drug compounds, this non-carbon atom is typically nitrogen, influencing the compound’s properties and therapeutic effects. Current methods for producing these compounds are limited and often require expensive starting materials.
2024-04-14 12:51:03
Source from phys.org