Organic chemistry: A radical approach to diversity

摘要: Compounds containing the trifluoromethyl group have many uses, but their isomers must often be made using different multi-step routes. Two studies now show how several can by same route. See Letter p.224 Premature metabolic decomposition stop potentially promising drugs from reaching intended targets. One way of blocking this metabolism involves addition a (CF3) to aromatic or heteroaromatic moieties in candidate drug molecule. David Nagib and MacMillan report new method for synthesis that is more economical than current methods terms both raw materials energy input. They use an energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb excite variety commercially available photocatalysts, which promote CF3 unactivated arenes heteroarenes through radical-mediated mechanism. The potential demonstrated trifluoromethylation three molecules: uracil analogue, precursor acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil vitamin (flavone).