New chemical pathways developed
The modern chemical industry is constantly searching for new pathways and methods to produce complex organic molecules. In particular, there is a need for means to produce naturally occurring molecules to replace unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. To take steps towards addressing this problem, the EU funded the 'New dearomatization methods for chemical synthesis and synthetic biology' (DEAROMATIZATION) project. Researchers aimed to test one such method of chemical synthesis. The method, known as catalytic enantioselective dearomatisation (CED), was conceived before the project began but had not been tested yet. DEAROMATIZATION first identified potential classes of molecules that could be created using CED; these included morphine and a chemical framework for creating other compounds. Researchers spent much of the project perfecting the experimental method, using morphine as a model product of the CED method. Project research also showed that CED produces side-products with potential value as building blocks for other molecules. The new CED methodology may provide industrial chemists with a direct route of synthesis for a range of naturally occurring molecules. In addition, the method could allow them to produce entirely novel molecules and compounds.
