A new chemical reaction has been developed which allows chemists to make certain molecules more easily. This reaction keeps the special structure of the molecules, known as stereochemistry. Before this, creating these molecules took many steps. The research team, led by Phil S. Baran from Scripps Research in California, used a nickel catalyst to create two temporary radicals. One radical comes from a special compound, and the other comes from a simple alkyl halide.
Baran explains that five years ago, many chemists would have thought this reaction was impossible. He describes it as surprising that two different radicals can react without losing their structure and without any side products. This new method builds on a previous technique for another type of reaction published last year.
Daniel Weix, an expert in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is impressed by this work. He notes that preserving stereochemistry in this way is usually only seen in specific settings.
However, Baran mentions that the reaction has limits. It works best with cyclic compounds. He hopes that in the future, this new reaction will become common and easier to use.
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