UCLA researchers have challenged a fundamental rule in organic chemistry that has been in place for over 100 years. The rule, known as Bredt’s rule, states that molecules cannot have a carbon-carbon double bond at the ring junction of a bridged bicyclic molecule. However, a team of chemists led by Neil Garg has found a way to break this rule and create new types of molecules.
According to Garg, the current rules in organic chemistry can stifle creativity and limit the potential for discovery. “We shouldn’t have rules like this—or if we have them, they should only exist with the constant reminder that they’re guidelines, not rules,” he said.
The researchers used a novel approach to create molecules called anti-Bredt olefins (ABOs), which deviate from the traditional geometry of alkenes. They discovered that by treating certain molecules with fluoride and other chemicals, they could induce an elimination reaction that produced ABOs.
The findings have significant implications for pharmaceutical research, as ABOs can be used to create new compounds with unique three-dimensional structures. This could lead to the discovery of new medicines and potentially expand the possibilities for chemical reactions in the industry.
Garg’s team included graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and established researchers from UCLA, highlighting the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in scientific breakthroughs.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-10-chemists-broke-year-rewrite-textbooks.html