Chemists often concoct new molecules and chemicals. However, a recent creation of theirs is making ripples across the science community. Previously thought too unstable to exist, scientists have created an ‘impossible’ molecule that breaks a century-old bonding rule. These compounds, called anti-Bredt olefins, are lighting up a new path into synthesizing challenging drugs.
Carbon and its bonding properties allow the formation of various organic compounds which conform to different shapes. Olefins or alkenes have one or more double bonds between two carbon atoms, which results in a planar arrangement. These compounds are of great interest in the world of drug making.
The newly synthesized molecules break century-old Bredt’s rule, stated by chemist Julius Bredt in 1924, states that in small molecules made up of two rings that share atoms, such as some kinds of alkene, double bonds between carbon atoms cannot occur where the rings join together. Double bonds here would be forced to form a strained 3-D shape, making the molecule highly reactive and unstable.
However, Neil Garg, the study’s co-author, had different plans. His attempt is based on treating a precursor molecule with a fluoride source to clip off some parts of the molecule, leaving the team with anti-Bredt olefins or ABO. Next, the researchers ‘trapped’ the unstable molecule using various trapping agents.
Garg and his team are exploring the possibilities of making drugs using ABOs and are planning to discover more molecules with seemingly impossible structures. The approach can put forward innovative ways of synthesizing challenging molecules, possibly reducing the cost of producing medicines.
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