New cross-coupling reaction preserves stereochemistry, challenging organic chemistry dogma
By
Bethany Halford
Crackling crust, pillowy middle. The kind of bagel that earns a second cup of coffee.
Summary
A new cross-coupling reaction in organic chemistry challenges the long-held dogma that generating a radical on a chiral carbon inevitably leads to loss of stereochemistry and racemization. The reaction forges bonds between radicals on two sp3 carbons while retaining stereochemistry, because the alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling occurs so rapidly that there is no time for stereochemical scrambling.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAccording to organic chemistry dogma, if you generate a radical on a chiral carbon, it's going to lose its stereochemistry and racemize.
But a new cross-coupling reaction that forges bonds between radicals on two sp3 carbons retains the stereochemistry.
Alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling is so quick, there's no time for stereochemical scrambling.
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