Articles tagged with "chemical-synthesis"
Scientists crack 80-year-old chemical puzzle to transform medicine making
Researchers at the University of St Andrews, in collaboration with the University of Bath, have solved an 80-year-old chemical puzzle involving the [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement, a reaction historically considered too unpredictable to control for selective synthesis. This rearrangement, which reorganizes atoms within a molecule, is crucial because it affects the chirality—or "handedness"—of molecules, a property vital in pharmaceuticals where one chiral form can be therapeutic while the other may cause side effects. By combining laboratory experiments with advanced quantum chemistry calculations, the team discovered that the reaction proceeds through a two-step cascade: an initial catalyst-driven asymmetric rearrangement that sets the molecule’s chirality, followed by a previously unrecognized molecular reshuffle that preserves this chirality rather than scrambling it. This breakthrough fundamentally shifts the understanding of stereochemistry in rearrangement reactions and opens new avenues for designing selective chemical processes. The ability to reliably control the chirality in the [1,2]-Wittig rearr
materialschemistrymolecular-chiralityasymmetric-catalysispharmaceutical-manufacturingchemical-synthesiscatalyst-developmentOnepot AI raises $13M to help make chemical drug creation easier
Onepot AI is a startup founded by Daniil Boiko and Andrei Tyrin to address a critical bottleneck in drug discovery: the difficulty of synthesizing small molecules that serve as building blocks for new drugs. While advances in molecular design and AI have accelerated idea generation, the actual chemical synthesis process remains slow, costly, and error-prone, often causing promising drug candidates to be abandoned before testing. Boiko, with a background in organic chemistry and machine learning, and Tyrin, experienced in computational drug discovery, recognized that the synthesis challenge was underappreciated and exacerbated by geopolitical concerns such as supply chain vulnerabilities and U.S.-China trade tensions. Their solution was to create Onepot, which combines an automated synthesis lab called POT-1 with an AI-driven organic chemist named Phil to streamline and accelerate molecule creation. Onepot recently emerged from stealth mode with $13 million in funding, including a seed round led by Fifty Years. The company offers biotech and pharmaceutical clients a catalog of
materialschemical-synthesisdrug-discoveryAI-in-chemistrymolecular-designpharmaceutical-technologybiotech-innovationScientists use catalyst to convert methane into bioactive compounds
A research team at Spain’s Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), led by Martín Fañanás, has developed a novel catalytic method to directly convert methane and other natural gas components into valuable chemical building blocks. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of bioactive compounds, demonstrated by the production of dimestrol—a non-steroidal estrogen used in hormone therapy—directly from methane for the first time. The method bypasses traditional challenges associated with methane’s chemical inertness and the generation of unwanted byproducts, offering a more sustainable and efficient route to pharmaceutical ingredients and industrial chemicals without relying on complex refinery processes. The key innovation lies in a supramolecular catalyst based on a tetrachloroferrate anion stabilized by collidinium cations, which precisely controls radical intermediates during the allylation reaction. This control prevents excessive chlorination side reactions that had previously limited yields and practical application. The catalyst operates under mild conditions, enhancing scalability and versatility across various natural
materialscatalystmethane-conversionbioactive-compoundschemical-synthesissupramolecular-catalystsustainable-chemistryHigh-energy rocket fuel breakthrough boasts lighter, longer flights
Researchers at the University at Albany have synthesized a novel high-energy compound, manganese diboride (MnB2), which shows significant promise for improving rocket fuel efficiency. MnB2 releases over 20% more energy by weight and 150% more by volume compared to aluminum, the current standard in solid rocket fuels. This enhanced energy density means rockets could use less fuel to achieve the same performance, allowing for lighter payloads and more space for mission-critical equipment. Importantly, MnB2 only combusts upon contact with an ignition agents like kerosene, offering controlled and efficient fuel use. The synthesis of MnB2 was achieved using an arc melter to heat pressed manganese and boron powders to approximately 3,000°C, followed by rapid cooling to lock in a unique atomic structure. This structure features a central manganese atom bonded in a highly strained, crowded configuration, akin to a tightly coiled spring storing potential energy. Computational modeling further revealed a subtle deformation in the compound’s hexagonal
energyrocket-fuelmanganese-diboridehigh-energy-materialsfuel-efficiencyspace-technologychemical-synthesisNew enzyme trick could slash chemical waste in drug production
Researchers at the University of Basel have engineered a natural haemoprotein enzyme to catalyze metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) reactions, a synthetic method crucial for creating complex three-dimensional molecules used in drug and fine chemical manufacturing. This breakthrough marks the first time an enzyme has been shown to perform MHAT reactions, combining the high selectivity and mild conditions of enzymatic catalysis with the versatility of synthetic chemistry. The engineered enzyme demonstrated exceptional stereoselectivity, producing desired enantiomers in ratios up to 98:2, which is significant for drug development where different enantiomers can have vastly different biological effects. While this hybrid biocatalytic approach offers greener, more efficient chemical synthesis with reduced waste, challenges remain. The enzyme’s high specificity limits its use to a narrow range of substrates, requiring redesign for different starting materials—a process that demands time and expertise. Additionally, the team is seeking more environmentally friendly methods to generate the metal hydride catalysts integral to the reaction.
materialsenzyme-engineeringbiocatalysisgreen-chemistrychemical-synthesisdrug-productionstereoselectivityCatalyst mimics photosynthesis to turn CO2 into clean industrial fuel
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a novel catalyst inspired by photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate, a valuable industrial chemical, using only light, protons, and electrons. This ruthenium-based catalyst mimics the natural process of photosynthesis by storing solar energy in chemical bonds through proton and electron transfers triggered by light. The innovation addresses the urgent need to reduce atmospheric CO2 by not only capturing it but also transforming it into useful compounds for fuels, pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobial products. The team redesigned the catalyst’s structure by surrounding the metal center with ligand “petals,” shifting the chemical activity from the metal to the ligands. This approach prevents CO2 from binding directly to the metal, which traditionally leads to side reactions and catalyst degradation. As a result, the process selectively produces formate without generating competing byproducts like hydrogen or carbon monoxide. Additionally, this ligand-based mechanism allows for flexibility in the choice of the central metal; while ruthenium was used
energycatalystphotosynthesiscarbon-captureCO2-conversionrenewable-energychemical-synthesisInsects help scientists create powerful new materials from nanocarbons
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute and Center for Sustainable Resource Science have developed an innovative technique called “in-insect synthesis,” which uses insects as living chemical reactors to create and modify complex nanocarbon molecules. Led by Kenichiro Itami, the team focused on tobacco cutworm caterpillars, leveraging their powerful digestive enzymes to perform precise chemical modifications that are difficult or inefficient in traditional laboratory settings. By feeding the caterpillars a nanocarbon molecule known as [6]MCPP, the insects converted it into a fluorescent derivative, [6]MCPP-oxylene, through an oxidation reaction catalyzed by two specific enzymes, CYP X2 and CYP X3. This enzymatic process was confirmed through advanced analytical techniques and genetic analysis, demonstrating a level of chemical precision not achievable by current lab methods. This breakthrough highlights the potential of using biological systems, such as insects, enzymes, and microbes, to manufacture advanced materials with high efficiency and specificity. The discovery that caterpillar enzymes can insert oxygen atoms into carbon–carbon bonds in nanocarbons opens new avenues for producing functional molecules for applications in aerospace, electronics, and battery technology. The research team envisions further optimization of this approach through genetic tools like CRISPR and directed evolution, enabling the programming of insects to synthesize a wide range of valuable compounds, from glowing sensors to pharmaceuticals. This novel strategy represents a paradigm shift in materials science, moving away from traditional chemical synthesis toward bioengineered production platforms.
materialsnanocarbonsinsect-enzymeschemical-synthesisadvanced-materialsnanotechnologybiotechnology