Chemists at the University of Bristol have found a way to break a long-standing rule in radical cyclization reactions. For over a century, pharmaceuticals relied on flat aromatic rings, but these often didn’t fit well into 3D biological targets. The team used a photocatalyst and ordinary blue light to override the natural preference (known as the “rule-of-five”), allowing molecules to form rigid 3D structures. They even built a 3D replacement for part of an experimental cognitive-enhancing drug, proving the method’s potential to unlock novel, more targeted medicines.
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