Friday, 05 November 2021
Researchers have discovered a new approach for using visible-light to structurally modify bioactive molecules in chemical reactions, providing a possible sustainable alternative to traditional methods that could be used in the design and production of new medicines.
Scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Chemistry, based at the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory are exploring the development of new sustainable ways to make chemicals by exploiting the green and inexhaustible energy of visible-light, as an alternative to traditional chemical methodologies requiring the use of toxic reagents and heavy metals. Their latest research ‘Visible Light-driven conjunctive olefination’ has been published today in Nature Chemistry.
The invention of novel drugs and agrochemicals often involves investigation of several structural analogues to refine their bioactivity or other key chemical properties. Chemists often access these analogues through chemical modification of complex bioactive molecules, a process defined as “late-stage functionalisation”. However, only a fraction of the possible analogues is accessible through traditional chemical methods, which often use toxic or expensive reagents and catalysts. Many catalysts rely on using heavy metals which are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature.
Late-stage functionalisation is an important tool for drug design. This research offers a new approach that is very modular, practical and sustainable. This new approach will significantly expand the structures available to scientists and has the potential for extensive application in the design and production of new drugs.
Dr Mattia Silvi led the research and said: “We have now discovered a fundamentally new approach to structurally modify bioactive molecules handling them as practically as if they were Lego building blocks. Our approach exploits the sustainable energy of visible light, avoids the use of heavy metals and has general applicability, thereby opening access to exceptional room for the design of new derivatives. The results of our study could significantly impact the way scientists design new analogues of complex bioactive molecules, providing a new a new powerful tool for the development of the medicines of tomorrow.”
This research also further demonstrates the exceptional potential of the use of visible-light energy in organic synthesis, that has impressively grown in the last decade, and is expected to continue to grow in the future, thereby opening new avenues for sustainable chemistry
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More information is available from Dr Mattia Silvi on Mattia.Silvi@nottingham.ac.uk (research group website: https://silviresearch.com)
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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