UCLA team uses substances that defy the rules
Find a detour to synthesize new compounds
“Monumental research in the world of science and medicine
“Greatly expanded the scope of new drug development compounds.”
Research results have emerged that threaten ‘Bret’s law’, which has been published in chemistry textbooks for 100 years. In a paper published in the international academic journal ‘Science’ on the 31st (local time), it was proven that new synthetic materials can be created by bypassing Brett’s law. There is an assessment that a turning point in new drug development can be created by overcoming rules that were considered limitations.
Brett’s law is a law that states that if a ‘double bond’ exists between carbon (C) atoms, all atoms connected to it must be in the same plane for it to exist stably. If two people holding one arm together is a common atomic bond, a double bond can be compared to holding both arms together.
If it deviates from the flat structure and becomes a three-dimensional structure, one of the two arms will break off, resulting in a very unstable structure. In 1924, German chemist Julius Brett experimentally proved that it was impossible to create a so-called ‘twisted compound’ that had a three-dimensional structure while maintaining two arms. He then announced Brett’s law, named after himself. Even now, when discovering new drug candidates, Brett’s law has been taken into consideration to select substances that can be synthesized, which has had a significant impact on the overall industry.
● Opens the possibility of developing new drugs using materials that were said to never be made
However, a study by Neil Garg, professor of chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), published in Science on the 31st, overturned this notion. A ‘bypass’ was proposed to synthesize new compounds using ‘anti-Brett olefin (ABO)’, an unstable substance that violates Brett’s law. Olefin is a compound that has a double bond between carbons and is used as a raw material for the synthesis of useful materials such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Unlike olefins, which follow Brett’s law, ABO is a substance that defies the rules.
The UCLA research team created a substance (precursor) just before becoming ABO during a specific chemical reaction. Using a precursor makes it possible to synthesize a compound using ABO, which exists for a short period of time. If ABO can be used in chemical reactions, many structures that were previously considered impossible can be created.
Wonjin Won, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Organic Synthesis Lab at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), said, “There are many cases where compound structures created from ABO can be used as drugs,” adding, “The range of compounds that can be developed as new drugs can be greatly expanded.” said.
● “Rules can destroy creativity”
The results of this study are evaluated as breaking the academic belief that it would be impossible to create a material that exceeds Brett’s law. It is difficult to say that Brett’s law has been completely overturned, but a sort of detour has been found. Professor Jeong added, “It is still true that ABO is unstable and difficult to obtain, but this is a very monumental research for the scientific and medical communities in that it has made it possible to utilize ABO.”
The scientific community is also paying attention to this research. This is because it was an opportunity to think again about studies that were previously considered impossible due to being confined by rules. Baldwin’s law, which is considered one of the important laws in organic chemistry along with Brett’s law, is also not a clear theory. Although it is close to an experimental guideline, it is accepted as orthodoxy because many compounds have produced results that fall squarely on this law. The UCLA team’s research results are evaluated as showing the possibility of going beyond established laws and advancing into a new world of materials.
The UCLA research team said, “Scientists have not studied ABO because they thought it could not be done. “Brett’s law limits the types of synthetic molecules that can be imagined, blocking the possibility of their application in new drug discovery,” he said. “If there are rules, creativity can be destroyed.”
Donga Science Reporter Lee Byeong-gu [email protected]
Reporter Choi Ji-won [email protected]
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It appears that you’ve pasted a portion of an article about Brett’s law and recent developments in the field of organic chemistry, particularly regarding the research conducted by Professor Neil Garg and his team at UCLA. Here’s a summary and analysis based on the content:
Summary of the Content
- Brett’s Law Overview: This law states that for stable compounds with a double bond between carbon atoms, all atoms connected must lie in the same plane. Deviations from this planar structure can lead to instability.
- Historical Context: Julius Brett developed this concept in 1924, fundamentally influencing synthetic chemistry, especially in drug development.
- New Discoveries: Recent research led by Neil Garg challenged the conventional understanding of Brett’s law by introducing ‘anti-Brett olefin’ (ABO), an unstable compound that defies this law. The research demonstrated that ABO can be synthesized and used in chemical reactions, suggesting a new pathway for creating compounds previously thought impossible.
- Implications for Drug Development: The findings could enable the synthesis of a broader range of compounds for drug development, potentially expanding the arsenal of materials available to scientists.
- Broader Scientific Impact: This research sparks a reconsideration of established scientific rules, suggesting that adherence to these rules can limit creativity and innovation within the field.
Analysis
- Challenging Established Norms: The research is crucial as it encourages scientists to question long-held beliefs and explore unconventional avenues. This spirit of innovation is vital for scientific progress.
- Drug Discovery and Development: The implications for the pharmaceutical industry are significant. If new classes of compounds can be synthesized using these methods, it could lead to breakthroughs in treatments or therapies that are currently unattainable.
- Further Research Directions: While the discovery appears promising, the instability of ABO poses challenges for practical application. Future research may focus on stabilizing such compounds or finding ways to generate them more reliably.
- Philosophical Considerations: The issue highlights a philosophical debate in science regarding the rigidity of rules versus the necessity of flexibility in thought. As noted, strict adherence to established laws may inhibit the acceptance of novel ideas.
the ongoing exploration of ABO and its implications for Brett’s law challenges scientists to rethink the boundaries of synthetic chemistry, potentially catalyzing innovations in drug development and beyond.