Water-stable catalyst could bring carbon-bond chemistry closer to use in living cells
Olefin metathesis is one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry for forming carbon–carbon bonds—for example, in the production of pharmaceuticals, plastics and complex natural products. However, previous ruthenium catalysts that enable this reaction have faced a major challenge: They rapidly degrade in aqueous or biological environments, making their use in natural systems such as…
Olefin metathesis is a vital reaction in organic chemistry, especially for creating carbon–carbon bonds essential in pharmaceuticals, plastics, and complex natural products. Previous ruthenium catalysts enabling this reaction, however, have struggled to operate in aqueous or biological settings due to rapid degradation. A group of researchers from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the University of Basel's Department of Chemistry have tackled this issue by designing a new ruthenium catalyst featuring a cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (CAAC) ligand.
The innovative catalyst, detailed in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, showcases enhanced stability in water and the ability to selectively bind to biomolecules, thanks to an integrated aniline group. This unique feature permits the catalyst's attachment to proteins or peptides, allowing it to maintain activity for up to 600 reaction cycles in biological systems.
Such progress brings olefin metathesis closer to being a practical tool in chemical biology and medicine, potentially enabling chemical reactions to occur directly within living organisms without causing harm.
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