Reducing a barrier that generally hinders the easy generation of new molecules, a team led by City College of New York chemist Mahesh K. Lakshman has devised a method to cleave generally inert bonds to allow the formation of new ones. The study is the cover story in the journal ACS Catalysis published by the American Chemical Society.
"Saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds in organic compounds are considered relatively inert and generally difficult to break in order to make other bonds, leading to new molecules," explained Lakshman, professor of chemistry in City College's Division of Science.
However, Lakshman and his colleagues demonstrated a method for accomplishing cleavage of carbon-hydrogen bonds and subsequent formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds.
Many of the ensuing new molecules bear structural similarities to the class of dideoxynucleosides, which are used as antiviral drugs. "Thus, this research can provide more direct access to novel pharmaceutical entities," said Lakshman, whose research thrust is organic synthesis at the chemistry-biology interface.
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His research team included fellow chemists Manish K. Singh (CCNY and the Graduate Center, CUNY, now a postdoctoral associate at UNC, Chapel Hill), Hari K. Akula (CCNY, the Graduate Center, Ph.D. student), Sakilam Satishkumar (CCNY, postdoctoral associate) and Dr. Lothar Stahl (University of North Dakota).
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided low-cost, high-quality education for New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. More than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Science; Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture; School of Education; Grove School of Engineering; Sophie Davis Biomedical Education/CUNY School of Medicine; and the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. U.S. News, Princeton Review and Forbes all rank City College among the best colleges and universities in the United States.
Journal
ACS Catalysis