Tamed radicals expand chemical space

A method to functionalise complex molecules with catalytic radicals could expand chemical libraries of the drug and agrochemical industry

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry Even complex molecules like the anti-cancer drug camptothecin (top left) can be modified using Molander’s radical alkylation

US scientists have developed a visible-light mediated reaction that uses tamed alkyl radicals to functionalise complex molecules. This mild and selective method could allow chemists to explore new corners of chemical space and to discover new drugs and agrochemicals.

Read the full story by Jessica Dwyer on Chemistry World.

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