Chemists have developed a new method for building complex drug molecules using blue LED lights and common chemical building blocks, according to a University at Buffalo-co-led study published on July 9 in Science. The research highlights how visible light can simplify the process of creating three-dimensional molecular structures, which are important for potency and selectivity in drug discovery.
The study reports that by mixing carbon-halogen bond-containing molecules with a light-activated catalyst and illuminating them with blue LEDs, researchers were able to temporarily transform these molecules into more reactive forms. This allowed them to modify two adjacent carbon atoms instead of just one, reducing the number of steps required in synthesizing complex drugs.
Jennifer Hirschi, PhD, associate professor of chemistry at Binghamton University and one of the corresponding authors, said, "The advantage is getting two modifications from a single reaction, whereas you normally only get one modification. More changes in fewer steps is crucial when creating small-molecule drugs."
The research was conducted in collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Binghamton University. It received support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Science Foundation ACCESS program. Musacchio's laboratory used standard blue LEDs placed inside compartments called "Buffalo boxes" to activate the catalyst needed for these reactions.
Compared to traditional photochemical approaches that use ultraviolet light—which can degrade organic molecules—the use of visible blue light offers a milder alternative. Musacchio said, "UV light could degrade or decompose the organic molecules that we're making, so the visible light is a much more mild approach." She also indicated plans to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to adapt this method for other types of molecular transformations.
"The hope is to not only make drugs faster, but also make more complex drugs that can target more challenging medicinal goals," Musacchio said.
